- Project name: Institutional strengthening of the water resources and power sectors in Timor-Leste
- Implementing institutions: Timor-Leste Ministry of Infrastructure
- Partner institutions: Norwegian Water and Resources and Energy Directorate, State Secretariat for Energy Policy and State Secretariat for Environment.
- Agreement partner: Timor-Leste Ministry of Infrastructure
- Project period: 2009 -2014
- Total budget: NOK 50 million
Timor-Leste and Norway have had a cooperation within the power sector management for long time. In December 2001 the Prime Minister at that time, Mr. Mari Alkatiri, requested Norway for assistance within the power sector. A formal contract for institutional cooperation between Timor-Leste and Norway within the power sector was signed in June 2003 between Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE) and the relevant Ministry in Timor-Leste. Today the relevant Ministry is Ministry of Infrastructure (MIS).
During the first cooperation period, 2003-2009, Feasibility studies for one large hydropower project, Iralalaru hydropower project,28 MW) was completed, together with the feasibility study of Gariuai mini hydropower project(326 kW) and two smaller project in the western part of Timor-Leste. The Gariuai mini hydropower project was constructed by local people as a pilot training project, and was inaugurated in November 2008.
Work to construct a hydrological network in the country was started, and around 15 rainfall stations and 3 gauging stations reading the amount of water in the rivers were constructed, operation personnel trained, and data collected. Training of personnel within hydropower, alternative energy, hydrology, administration, accounting, operation and maintenance and environment was carried out in Timor-Leste and abroad. Also several information meetings in the districts were carried out as a part of an open licensing process.
Norway supplied 8 MW of diesel generators in 2002, and rescued Timor-Leste from complete power black out during Christmas time. Management of the diesel power plant in Dili was conducted for 8 months, prepayment meters installed (around 25.000) in Dili, strengthening of the low voltage electricity network and mounting of around 900 street lights in Dili was also done with Norwegian support by Jacobobsen elektro of Norway.
In 2009 Timor-Leste and Norway entered into a new phase for strengthening of the water resources and power sectors in Timor-Leste for a period of 5 years - 2009-2014. The institutional partners are still Ministry of Infrastructure and NVE. The main activities are developing of legal framework for the power and water sector, establishing hydrometeorological database and continue strengthening of the hydro meteorological network, work out a Hydropower Master Plan for Timor-Leste, complete the studies of Maliana and Atsabe hydropower projects, follow up Iralalaru hydropower project if constructed, maintain Gariuai mini hydropower plant, support and train staff at National Directorate of Water Resources Management and give assistance to the National Directorate for Environment and support on human resources development. Manage and coordinate the new program.
At the moment the Hydropower Master Plan is being conducted, the hydro meteorological database is established, and several new rainfall gauging stations are constructed, personnel trained and data collected. A lot of training for the staff is carried out, and the office premises are reconstructed and expanded. New equipment is purchased, and the office is well organised and managed. One NVE long term adviser is permanently based in Dili, and a NVE training and education coordinator employed for a period.
Photo: Jarle Kottmann