Electricity is important for any country. Poverty reduction through reliable and sufficient supply of electricity support public administration, health, trade, services, and industry. Timor-Leste experiences limitations and supply disruptions, a problem for both operation of existing infrastructure and the development of new – making it harder to create work and revenues.

Senior Adviser Alf Adeler on a pile of penstock pipes. These 400 mm ductile cast iron pipes are laid in ditches and transports high-pressure water from two springs to the turbine.

Photo: Basil Rolandsen / Bouvet Photography

The Gariuai Mini Hydroelectric Power Project, building the first mini hydropower station in the country, contributes to improving the situation. It will generate electricity from two springs, before the water is used for irrigation. This is clean, renewable, environmentally friendly energy, with low operating costs, as opposed to the existing use of diesel generators.

This is a result of cooperation between the governments of Norway and Timor-Leste to strengthen the energy sector. Funding and technical support comes from Norway. The workforce is local, and the project includes training. The national electricity company edtl contributes some materials, and the environmental authorities dnsma to environmental screening and monitoring plan.

In short, the water from two springs will generate electricity before it flows into the rice paddies. This will reduce the need to burn expensive and polluting diesel. Local people are trained and employed through the construction. The power plant will with maintenance run for perhaps 100 years. It is a fine initiative, and I am proud to be a part of it!

Alf Adeler, Senior Adviser