Actions aimed at business development
Further improvement of legislation and digitalization of services provided to entrepreneurs in order to facilitate the connection to the electricity grid in order to adequately meet modern challenges are always in focus. According to the relevant tasks of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, within the framework of the works carried out by "Azerishiq" OJSC, the electronic application management system (EMIOS) is being implemented in order to make electricity connection more convenient and accessible. One of the main goals of this system is to manage applications on a single platform, increase efficiency and efficiency, and ensure transparency. Since this system is integrated with the State Service for Property Issues under the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the State Tax Service and other institutions, there is no need for the entrepreneur to carry a collection of documents. It should be noted that the online application system was evaluated as an innovative project by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) (https://oecd-opsi.org/innovations/online-electricity-connection/). At the same time, with the Decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan No. 1313 dated April 4, 2017, the number of procedures for connecting to the electricity network was reduced from 7 to 2, and the duration from 41 days to 20 days.
A significant increase in the number of online applicants as a result of the continuous further improvement of the e-system and the expansion of its functional capabilities, as well as the creation of the possibility to apply online from E-GOV (electronic government portal), e-service.azerishiq.az was observed.
Continuous economic reforms carried out in the country are aimed at achieving sustainable and rapid development in the economy by diversifying the economy, further improving the business and investment environment, state support for entrepreneurship and increasing the competitiveness of the national economy. As a continuation of the reforms, the Commission for Business Environment and International Ratings was established. The purpose of creating the commission is to create a business environment that will ensure the optimal profitability of entrepreneurial activity and be based on the principles of competition, to increase the country's investment attractiveness, to improve the legislation and administration in order to further improve the position of Azerbaijan in international rankings, and to achieve the implementation of other necessary measures in this direction. In this direction, in accordance with the World Bank Group's "Favorable Business Environment" project, a Road Map for the years 2022-2023 on the further improvement of legislation in the field of electricity connection and the implementation of measures in the field of digitalization of services was prepared and approved by the Chairman of the Commission for Business Environment and International Ratings in 2022. was approved on October 7 and was immediately implemented.
(https://azranking.az/public/images/doc_05.10.22_1.pdf).
As a result of the regular implementation of all these measures, the number of online requests for the service "connection of non-resident subscribers to the energy supply network" has exceeded 50%.
Information about the process of connecting to the electricity supply network
The connection of consumers to the energy supply network of construction facilities is regulated by the "Rules for providing technical conditions for consumers to purchase electricity (power) and connecting to the energy supply network" approved by the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated August 27, 2013 No. 234. Rules for connecting existing or to be built construction facilities to the power supply network of entrepreneurs with a required power of up to 150 kW (including 150 kW from the existing 0.4 kV network) and requirements for them. "Technical conditions for the purchase of electric energy (power) of existing or to be built construction objects with the required power of entrepreneurs up to 150 kW (including 150 kW from the existing 0.4 kW network), approved by Decree No. 1313 dated April preparation and issuance of documents, as well as the Regulation on connection to the energy supply network"
The joining of business entities to ETC consists of two procedures:
1. Applying to connect to the electricity supply network
2. Installation of electric network and meter
Preparation and issuance of technical conditions, project documents for the purchase of electric energy (power) of existing or to be built construction objects with a non-residential consumer required power up to 150 kW (including 150 kW from the existing 0.4 kV network) , as well as can apply for connection to the power supply network using the following methods:
1. Online - by applying through E-Gov (electronic government portal), e-service.azerishiq.az site.
2. By applying to ASAN Communal centers and SME houses. In regions where ASAN Communal center has not been established, by approaching ASAN service centers.
3. Using self-service windows located in ASAN Kommunal and ASAN service centers.
The documents required for connection are reflected in the list of documents necessary for non-resident subscribers to connect to the energy supply network on the website of the ASAN service. Entrepreneurs must submit/enter the documents and information required to connect their non-resident subscribers to the energy supply network using the specified application methods. The Technical Council was established by Decree No. 1313 dated April 4, 2017 of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in order to control the implementation of works related to connection to the energy supply network. The members of the Technical Council provide an online opinion on the applications for joining the ETC. When the application is completed, a notification is sent to the applying entrepreneur about the acceptance of the submitted information and required documents.
Additional support measures in the field of electricity connection
"Azerishiq" OJSC holds regular meetings for the smooth operation of local entrepreneurs and the elimination of emerging problems, the opinions, proposals, and recommendations of farmers and entrepreneurs in the regions are listened to. During the year, meetings with entrepreneurs are held in different regions of the republic. At the same time, during the current year, meetings were held with business associations and legal consulting companies, innovations related to joining the ETC were presented in the form of a video, and information about the possibilities of the online system was presented.
"Innovation Center" LLC and "Azerishiq" OJSC hold joint events ("Energytech" hackathon) with the aim of electronicizing services provided to the population and promoting online services, which is of great importance in terms of the realization of new innovative ideas.
The number of self-service windows has been increased in "ASAN Service" and "ASAN Kommunal" centers, and at the same time opportunities have been created for citizens to connect to ETC online in Baku city and regional local networks.
Inquiries are conducted to investigate the procedures required for commercial connections to the services of the electricity supply network and the problems that arise during the connection, and regular actions are taken according to the results of these inquiries.
"Azerishiq" OJSC implements measures aimed at the development of infrastructure in distribution power networks in different regions of the Republic in order to improve the quality and availability of electricity.