Energy cooperation with Iran

To secure its energy supply, Europe chose energy as the central plank of its cooperation with Iran. For its part, Iran wishes to control its own local consumption to concentrate more heavily on energy exports.

For the past five years ADEME has been working on energy cooperation with Iran, through three complementary programmes. In 1997, a study on “energy efficiency in Iran”, financed by the World Bank, was undertaken jointly with the Energy Efficiency Office of the Iranian Ministry of Energy. It enabled tools and methodologies to be devised for rationalising energy use in three sectors: construction, industry and transportation. In 1999, ADEME was selected by the World Bank to help the Iranian government and its Energy Planning Office with a study on “the development of the energy sector in Iran” that considered both economic and environmental imperatives: demand forecasting for various different energy scenarios, fixing of a clear, suitable tariff policy, inspection of local energy suppliers and evaluation of financial requirements. Undertaken in partnership with the Asian Institute of Technology, this project is due to conclude in 2002. Building on the experience gained with these two projects, ADEME responded in late 1999 to a European Commission invitation to bid for a study on strengthening “EU-Iran Energy Policy Dialogue” within the framework of the Synergy programme. This study, completed in March 2001, resulted in concrete proposals aimed at securing the supply, improving competition within the energy sector and managing local consumption.

Developing wind energy

© O. Sébart/ADEME

The “2002 Global Windpower Conference and Exhibition” will be held in Paris from 2 to 5 April 2002. The conference is organised by the European Wind Energy Association and the American Wind Energy Association, with the support of ADEME, the French Syndicat des Energies Renouvelables and numerous national and international wind energy associations. The purpose of the event is to find appropriate solutions to different countries’ needs in promoting the use of windpower as a source of energy. A forum for exchange designed to extend cooperation between all international players in the windpower sector, it will provide an opportunity to review the current state of affairs worldwide (market opportunities in developed, emerging and developing nations), with contributions from experts in the fields of research and development, politics, and finance. The event is open to manufacturers, project developers, environmental organisations and anyone else interested in the development of windpower.