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International Energy Agency (IEA)

Background

IEA was formed by a group of OECD member states in 1974 after the oil crisis. First aim was to set up a system to share available oil resources in times of supply crises. Later another focus was developed in the area of future of energy supplies and a number of research and information exchange programs have been established. The collaboration takes place under Implementing Agreements (IA) which specify the commitments of the Contracting Parties. There are five IEA R&D Working Parties under which a number of IAs are performed. The Contracting Parties can be government organisations or private entities designated by their respective governments. Non-IEA Member countries can become Associate Contracting Parties. Today there are 25 Participating Countries in the IEA work.

Organisation of IEA

Basic aims of the IEA include:

Co-operation among IEA participating countries to reduce excessive dependence on oil throu energy conservation, development of alternative energy sources and energy research and development; An information system on the international oil market as well as consulting with oil companies; Co-operation with oil producing and other oil consuming countries with a view to develop- ing a stable international energy trade as well as the rational management and use of world energy resources in the interest of all countries; A plan to prepare participating countries against the risk of a major disruption of oil supplies and to share available oil in the event of an emergency.

IEA Collaboration on Energy Technology and R&D Progress in energy technology is critical in achieving the collective objectives of energy security, environmental protection and economic and social development among IEA Member countries. International collaboration is needed to prepare any practical response to global environmental issues. The present pace of energy technology innovation is occurring in an inter-connected world in which national efforts to adapt to change no longer suffice. National energy R&D and demon- stration programmes lose some of their impact unless incorporated into the larger context of international interdependence.

The IEA has since 1974 established a legal framework for international collaboration in energy technology R&D, demonstration and information exchange. The collaboration takes place under Implementing Agreements (IA) which specify the commitments of the Contracting Parties, and a management structure. They also provide for the production and protection of intellectual pro- perty, and record arrangements for commercial exploitation and benefit sharing. The Contracting Parties can be government organisations or private entities designated by their respective governments. Non-IEA Member countries can become Associate Contracting Parties. So far, nearly 60 IAs have been established although a number have been terminated after successfully completing their tasks. There are over 40 current IAs with several new Agreements under consideration. This accumulated experience of international collaboration demonstrates that IAs are effective in accelerating energy technology development by sharing scarce resources and broadening prospects of market deployment.