"Energy" Topical Working Group

The setting up of this Working Group, suggested during the plenary meeting of the Network held on December 15, 2004, originated from the need to follow up the implementation of the energy measures within the context of the programs co-financed by the Structural Funds.

In fact, the energy sector is one of the environmental priorities of the ROPs and the Single Programming Documents, as well as a strategic issue throughout Europe.

The activity of the Group is carried on based on the objectives laid out in the Action Plan approved by the Network for 2006. Specifically, the Group endeavors to single out the best practices with respect to the potentials of the sectoral implementation strategy and the results attained until now, with a view to working out the 2007-2013 programming documents.

The Group purposes to give an informative contribution with respect to the implementation of investments in the energy sector, with special attention to renewable energy sources, the evolution of the sectoral regulatory framework, and the progress of the regional energy planning.

The Group has been entrusted with the task of pinpointing and disseminating the experiences gained in the various territories (in terms of both strength and weakness), as well as collecting, selecting and disseminating information about good practices relative to the programming and implementation phases of the regional energy plans. Besides, the Group is also entrusted with the task of taking into account the specialist contributions and activities related to the Energy Operational Project, under the responsibility of the Ministry of Productive Activities, within the context of the 2000-2006 PON ATAS (Technical Assistance and System Actions - National Operational Program).

The investigation into the measures co-financed by the Structural Funds in the Objective 1 and Objective 2 Regions and into the regional programming documents is still under way, and is highlighting a number of critical issues that are going to be reported in the final document that is being edited.