ELDER begins performing vocational qualification examinations, which is an important step for creating certified labor force in the electricity distribution sector.

Serhat Cecen, Chairman of ELDER, stated that they started the examinations to certificate professional qualification of employees in electricity distribution sector.  He said, "We aim to have fully certificated employment in the sector. By this means, employees will all be aware about occupational health and security.”

Cecen said, national qualification criteria were created for 6 professions with “Project of Certificating Electricity Distribution Professions”, and the number of professions will increase.

Explaining that within the scope of EU grant program, ELDER Personnel Certification Center was established, Cecen said the first professional qualification certification test was carried out in 4 professions by this center few days ago.

“The sector employs 100 thousand people directly and indirectly. This step is very important for creating certified labor force in the electricity distribution sector,” Cecen said.

THE GRANT PROGRAM WILL BE COMPLETED IN JULY

The grant program will be finalized on July 31st. The closing meeting of the project is planned to be held on 24th of July in Ankara, Turkey.

Fitch Ratings has affirmed Turkish utilities company Baskent Elektrik Dagitim A.S.'s (Baskent DSO) National Long-Term Rating at 'AA(tur)' with a Stable Outlook.

In the announcement made on Fitch Ratings’ website, following statements were made:
“The rating is supported by the regulated nature of the company's operations, predictable cash flows and experienced shareholders. Baskent performed well in the first year of the current regulatory period due to higher-than-expected investments for network expansion and quality improvements, which were remunerated at an 11.91% real return.

Even though Baskent's assets are reimbursed quicker than European peers' and at higher returns, uncertainty arises over the longer term due to risks associated with the size of new allowed investments in future, as capex slows. Turkish networks are operated under long-term licence agreements rather than legal ownership. Fitch views liquidity as a rating constraint. Even though Baskent benefits from diversified liquidity lines, facilities are available but not committed, in line with the Turkish market practice.”

Read More on Fitch’s research and statements.

Murat Pinar, General Manager of Enerjisa Distribution Companies, said that the investments and projects realized to provide uninterrupted and sustainable electricity distribution service have a great role in the success of the company.

He said, in the coming period, the company will continue the projects and investments that will provide added value to sector.

Source: FITCH /AA

The “Make Power Clean” initiative was launched on Monday to promote a European electricity market designed to deliver cleaner electricity across the region.

The Make Power Clean initiative aims to lobby European policy makers to ensure that only those energy technologies considered “clean” are eligible to receive public support in the form of capacity mechanisms. The initiative believes that for a successful transition to a low-carbon energy sector, the European Union’s electricity market must become more flexible, secure, and sustainable.

The Make Power Clean initiative is calling on the European Council and the European Parliament “to endorse the 550g CO2/kWh carbon criterion, which is critical to the overall consistency and efficiency of EU climate and energy policy.”

ABOUT THE ‘MAKE POWER CLEAN’ INITIATIVE

The Make Power Clean initiative is made up of thirteen big-name companies and organizations representing Europe including:
Shell, Siemens, Statoil, Total, Eni, Snam, Eurogas, Nordex and Acciona, Iberdrola, Gas Natural Fenosa, Solar Power Europe, Wind Europe, and the European Semiconductor Industry Association.

Source: Cleantechnica

Article
Electricity Networks: Infrastructure and Operations
“Too complex for a resource?”
By: Dennis Volk / IEA

It is an issue paper on electricity transmission and distribution network operations and investment in liberalised electricity markets with low carbon policies. It presents the complex policy, regulatory and market context in which networks have to provide services to the market. It considers ways of strengthening the networks’ role in the overall power system to reduce the public good characteristics and permit market participants to decide whether, to what extent and when, to use it as a resource. This publication is part of a series on electricity published in conjunction with the overall Electricity Security Action Plan (ESAP).

Read More…