International Projects Group
Welcome to the ATA International Projects Group (IPG).
The IPG is a volunteer group that undertakes Renewable Energy Projects in Timor Leste and other countries in the region.
December 2009: The IPG hascompleted its 2009 projects. A tremendous effort by volunters and Timorese Technicians resulted in the installation of 165 household lighting systems and a further 12 larger solar power installations. Key highlights for 2009 include:
THE TIMOR-LESTE SOLAR POWER TRAINING PROJECT. This project is funded by AusAID and delivered in partnership with two government departments (SEFOPE and SEPE). The aim of the project is to assist Timorese training providers to deliver solar power training and support students to attend training and find employment. Working with the Timor solar power industry, ATA staff and volunteers have developed a set of competency standards for the installation, maintenance and selection of small solar power systems. February 2010 will see the first teacher training and in July the first graduates from the course. This work involved the valuable contribution of past and present ATA members including Michael O’Connell, Geoff Collins, Aires de Almeida, Andrew Blair, John Kemp and Joshua Backwell.
OESILO PUMPING PROJECT, Oecusse, August 2009. This project aimed to provide a reliable water supply to the Oecusse border market and adjacent communities. IPG members Oliver Crowder, Bill Bennett, Leo Renkin and Patrick Eijsvogel installed a solar powered pumping system to meet the water needs of this development. Water from a permanent spring was pumped a distance of approximately 900 metres with a vertical head of approximately 60 meters. An elevated storage tank that receives water from the spring via the solar-powered pump will provide the border market and adjacent communities with an estimated 10,000 litres of water a day.
VILLAGE LIGHTING SCHEME, Aileu, November 2009. The Village Lighting Scheme was expanded to take in two new communities and another 165 installed systems. A number of system improvements have been incorporated including the addition of a flexible head 1W LED and a larger 10W solar panel. There is continued strong demand for this project – with requests coming from many nearby communities. The ATA would like to take the opportunity to formally thank Chris Adams from Friends of Aileu. Chris has been volunteering in Aileu for two years and his assistance in the organisation and implementation of the Village Lighting Scheme has been invaluable. The Kangaroo Valley friends of Remixio and rotary Club of Balwyn provided invaluable support for these projects.
To find out about 2008 projects or previous actities of the IPG visit the projects page. 2009 project highlights are available to download here. A complete project report will be uploaded early in 2010.
The IPG was established in 2003 by a group of ATA members interested in assisting low income communities in South East Asia and the Pacific with technologies appropriate to their needs. We believe that the provision of sustainable technologies such as solar powered lighting, and micro hydro for electricity can lead to significant development benefits. For example lighting is a primary determinant of quality of life, providing lighting at night can assist the operation of medical clinics, providing night clinic and improved operating conditions. A single bulb can allow children to study thereby improving their educational status. Renewable technologies can operate “off the grid” and reduce the recurrent expenditure required for these services while reducing the demand for diesel fuel and other scarce resources.
Project Partnerships
The IPG delivers all its projects in partnership with local communities, donors, sponsors and volunteers. To find out more about our project partners and sponsors and how to get involved visit the partnerships page.
We would like to specifically thank the following key sponsors, without their help our activities could not happen: M&H Power, RFI Industries, Selectronics and Plasmatronics.
