Baghdad: Iraq Energy Institute (IEI) on Thursday signed two separate MoUs with the International Energy Agency (IEA) and with the Training and Energy Research Directorate of Iraq’s Ministry of Electricity, covering energy research and technology collaboration, data, and capacity building.
Under the terms of the MoU between Iraq Energy Institute and International Energy Agency, the two entities will collaborate on data sharing and validation focusing on improving the accuracy of the IEA energy balance analysis for the Republic of Iraq. Also, cooperation will expand to cover; publications, seminars and workshops, innovation and technology, expert exchange and, training and capacity building.
This MoU is the culmination of seven years of cooperation since the IEA’s Iraq Energy Outlook in 2012. Most recently, senior fellows and executive staff from IEI assisted the IEA with the preparation of the IEA’s 2019 Iraq report, proving data, information and guidance throughout. Previously, IEI provided advice to the IEA on a number of projects related to the IEA’s World Energy Outlook publication.
The MoU was signed by Nisar Talabany, Board Member of Iraq Energy Institute, and H.E. Dr. Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency.
Dr. Birol said “The International Energy Agency and Iraq Energy Institute share a close relationship that goes back to 2012 when the IEA released its first special report on Iraq. We have been working together ever since, and I am delighted to be able to sign this Memorandum of Understanding, here in Baghdad, to signal the next step in our collaboration”
Energy Research & Training
Iraq Energy Institute also signed a non-commercial MoU with the Training and Energy Research Directorate of the Ministry of Electricity, where the two parties will collaborate on power sector research, advisory studies, and capacity building programming. IEI will support the Directorate in improving their procedures for data collection, verification, and analytics. Also, identifying technologies that could deliver improved operational performance and efficiency across the power value chain.
Research efforts will focus on renewable energy development to yield advancements in clean electricity generation and, reducing the fossil fuel footprint of Iraq’s generation fleet while providing sustainable and affordable electricity to consumers.
Furthermore, IEI will connect researchers at the Directorate with global institutions of higher education and centres of research excellence aiding them in publishing their studies at impactful scientific and technical journals.
The MoU was signed by Yesar Al-Maleki, Managing Director at Iraq Energy Institute and Bushra Shuair Hamzah, Director General of the Training & Energy Research Directorate of the Ministry of Electricity.
Commenting on both agreements, Nisar Talabany, Board Member of Iraq Energy Institute and Chairwoman of the 2019 Iraq Energy Forum, said “This MoU provides a general framework for cooperation on activities and projects that advance shared interests in areas of energy development, information sharing and knowledge transfer. It reflects our strong commitment to global engagement to support Iraq’s position in the energy community and our national efforts towards sustainable development, and to working closely with international authorities such as the IEA to find solutions to Iraq’s challenges and promote opportunities. ”
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Image Credits: Iraq Energy Institute
