Expert Meeting on the Pacific Regional Data Repository for Se4all

Expert Meeting on the Pacific Regional Data Repository for SE4All

5-6 December 2013, ESCAP Pacific Office, Suva

An Expert Meeting to discuss the Pacific Regional Data Repository was held on 5-6 December 2013 at the ESCAP Pacific Office. The meeting followed the signing of a ‘Declaration on the Pacific Regional Data Repository on Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL)’ in New York on 27 September 2013, and was held to discuss energy data needs and priorities as input into the drafting of a technical proposal for consideration by Pacific island governments. The meeting was held in collaboration with SPC, immediately after a meeting of the Pacific Energy Advisory Group (PEAG) to optimise coordination with the data work being undertaken by SPC under the Framework for Action on Energy Security in the Pacific (FAESP). The agenda of the meeting is attached as Attachment 1 and participant list as Attachment 2.

This is a short draft summary of the main points and next steps discussed in the workshop, which was held in collaboration with SPC, back-to-back with the 4th Meeting of the Pacific Energy Advisory Group, 3-4 December 2013. A full report is forthcoming.

1. Risks/Barriers: Participants pointed out the following risks and barriers to establishing the PRDR.

• Duplication of existing work being undertaken, particularly by SPC.
• Commitment from participating countries must be sustained over time.
• Commitment from donors, including the sharing of studies, reports, evaluations etc.
• Data provision:

-National legislation can act as a barrier to data sharing.

-Confidentiality of data (especially private sector).

-Limited capacity of National Statistical Systems and data providers.

-Low quality national data.

-Data provided may be adjusted to be ‘politically correct.’

-Difficult to get data from outer islands.

• Sustainable financing for the entity over time.
• Lack of awareness of leaders commitments – the PRDR should be discussed at the cabinet level and with relevant ministries.
• Information distribution – needs to be mandated and legislated.
• Even with leaders commitments and with supportive legislation, data providers may still not cooperate.
• Lack of focus on data areas – the repository should not try to cover too much.
• Data generation methodologies are expensive.

2. Overall considerations and principles: Participants agreed on the following principles, based on the need for the PRDR and in addressing the risks and barriers identified.

• Should focus on raw/primary data.
• Should get data directly from the primary source (pending consultations with the country on exact modality).
• Entity must be trusted.
• Should be regional.
• Should utilise existing structures and relationships.
• Should be independent – from governments and institutional constraints.
• Must be dedicated to the task, without competing priorities.
• Should include a training function to develop national capacity for data provision.
• Requires financial sustainability.
• A data ‘supply chain’ is required that is based on positive relationships.
• Must serve countries and not just SE4All initiative.
• Countries need an incentive to participate.
• Collaborate with the ongoing developments in the proposed UNIDO ‘Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency.

3. Data requirements: Participants provided written inputs on primary energy data priorities and availability, covering both fossil fuels and renewable resources. This exercise helped narrow down the set of data for the initial stages of setting-up the repository, i.e. high priority and relatively easy to collect.

4. Institutional structure of PRDR entity: Participants agreed to take a two-step approach, wherein the decision on the long-term home of the PRDR can be decided after the trial period, pending the successful demonstration of value.

Two-step approach:

1. Start as a 5-year project to determine effectiveness and viability.
2. If value is demonstrated within this 5 year timeframe, longer term institutional arrangements can be established.

Potential options for short-term:

a)Establish a dedicated unit within SPC in a trial period under the project

b)Establish a new organisationthat is lean and dedicated to the task in a trial period under the project

c)Establish an entity in USP in a trial period under the project [Note: USP was not present in the workshop and this idea has not been checked with them yet]

d)Other proposals welcome

5. Next steps: Participants agreed on the following next steps

Continue consultations, utilizing both email communication and upcoming meetings with Pacific energy stakeholders (e.g. ESCAP Policy Dialogue on Energy for Sustainable Development).

ESCAP secretariat to prepare detailed project concept including feasibility, data requirements, risk management ideas, funding estimates, etc.

As part of the project concept, ESCAP secretariat will draft and get signatures on some sort of written agreement (e.g. Declaration of Intent) with data sources.

Proposal to be presented and discussed at Officials Meeting and then revised proposal submitted to Ministers at SPC Energy and Transport Ministerial Meeting, Nadi, Fiji, 21 March to 4 April 2014.

Annex 1

Expert Meeting on the

Pacific Regional Data Repository for Sustainable Energy for All (SE4All)

5-6 December 2013

Suva, Fiji

PROGRAMME

Thursday 5 December

0900-0910 Introduction by David Smith, ESCAP Pacific Office

0910-0930Presentation on the SPC Energy Database

0930-1000Presentation by ESCAP on the Pacific Regional Data Repository

1000-1030Discussion on alignment

1030-1045Tea/coffee break

1045-1115Presentation by Herb Wade on Data Requirements

1115-1230Group work on energy data needs

1230-1400Lunch break

1400-1530 Group work on energy data needs

1530-1545Tea/Coffee break

1545-1700Plenary discussion on energy data needs

Friday 6 December

0900-0915Recap on Day 1

0915-1030Plenary discussion on data priorities and availability

1030-1045Tea/coffee break

1045-1200Wrap-up, recommendations and next steps

Annex 2

Participant list

1