PACC2030: Power Hours Season 2

Concept Note
PACC2030: Power Hours Season 2

Background
With support from the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Energy Resources (State/ENR), Power Sector Program, the U.S. Department of Commerce, Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP) will host a second season of its Power Hours series. The second season of Power Hours sessions will build on and expand content learned in the first Power Hours series.

This virtual series will be open to all Partnership to Address the Climate Crisis 2030 (PACC2030) member country regulators and members of the Organisation of Caribbean Utility Regulators’ (OOCUR). This series is limited to PACC2030 power sector regulators and OOCUR to allow an open space for discussion among regulators.

For each 90-minute virtual Power Hours Session, CLDP will partner with world-class power sector lawyers, regulators, and international organizations to draft and deliver these short, intense sessions. These sessions will be recorded and available for regulators to refer to in the future.

Format:
The features of these Power Hours Sessions are as follows:

• 00:00: Welcome, but no introductions (to save time) except for the expert
• 00:05: Presentation of Material from Expert
• 01:00: Question and Answer with Expert
• 01:25: Materials, Next Sessions, Contacts

Schedule and Summary of Sessions (All times in EST or EDT due to multiple time zones across all participating countries):

1. Power Hours Session #1 – Power Hours Season 2 Kick Off + Licensing: What Project Developers Look For
   • Date: January 16, 2025, 10:00am-11:30am EST
   • Content:
     • Recap of last year’s Power Hours series, lessons learned, and introduction to this year’s series format.
     • Interactive polls to understand participants’ regulatory power.
     • Learn what project developers seek when applying for and receiving a license.
2. Power Hours Session #2 – Energy Storage: Regulatory Frameworks
   • Date: February 13, 2025, 10:00am-11:30am EST
   • Content:
     • Key considerations and requirements for energy storage regulations.
     • Risks, challenges, and impact of different technologies on regulatory frameworks.
3. Power Hours Session #3 – Energy Storage: Types of Contracts
   • Date: March 6, 2025, 10:00am-11:30am EST
   • Content:
     • Different contract formats for energy storage (e.g., power purchase agreements, leases, service agreements).
     • Key considerations for regulators in reviewing these contracts.
4. Power Hours Session #4 – Energy Storage: Procurement and Tender Considerations
   • Date: April 10, 2025, 10:00am-11:30am EDT
   • Content:
     • Best practices for energy storage procurement processes.
     • Considerations for tariffs and differences from renewable energy procurement.
5. Power Hours “Regulator Spotlight”: Perspectives from Regulators in the Region
   • Date: May 15, 2025, 10:00am-11:30am EDT
   • Content:
     • Regional regulators share experiences and insights.
6. Power Hours Session #5 – Disputes: Identifying Conflicts and Resolution Mechanisms
   • Date: June 12, 2025, 10:00am-11:30am EDT
   • Content:
     • Common disputes in energy transition (e.g., tariffs, land usage rights).
     • Methods of dispute resolution, including courts, mediation, and arbitration.
7. Power Hours Session #6 – Regulatory Independence
   • Date: July 17, 2025, 10:00am-11:30am EDT
   • Content:
     • Importance of regulatory independence.
     • Strategies and policies for effective independent regulation.