International Projects Group
Lights are on
ENERGY FOR POVERTY SOLUTIONS
ATA and Energy Solutions for the Poor
“Expanding access to affordable, clean energy is critical for realising the MDGs (Millennium Development Goals) and enabling sustainable development across the globe” – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
“Climate change will be solved by us. Governments need to recognise that people are wanting change. People are acting themselves.” – Ian Porter, CEO, ATA
The IPG was established in 2001 by a group of ATA members interested in assisting low-income communities in South East Asia and the Pacific with demand-driven technologies appropriate to their needs. We believe that sustainable technologies like solar-powered lighting and micro hydro for electricity can be very beneficial.
Energy access and use is a development priority:
- Expanding access to and utilisation by rural and poor households in developing countries is essential for achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDG):
- Reducing poverty and creating jobs by making possible income-generating and entrepreneurial opportunities (MDG1);
- Empowering by liberating women and girls from time-consuming tasks, freeing time for education and economic activity (MDG2 and 3);
- Improving health conditions by decreasing women’s and children’s drudgery, and eliminating “kitchen smoke” (MDG 4,5 and 6); and
- Promoting clean energy solutions that contribute to low-carbon development. (MDG 7).
(UNDP 2010)
How ATA is contributing
Projects to be implemented in October 2011
- Small household lighting system (SHS – know as Village Lighting Scheme) – In 2011, the Kangaroo Valley and Remexio Partnership is raising funds (www.kvrp.org.au) to provide lights to households in three villages in the Remexio sub-district of Aileu district. About 300 households will have access to lights by end of this year. By the end of the year it is anticipated that almost 800 HH will have efficient lighting.
- Baguia Community Centre – Baguia Community Centre will have a medium scale stand alone (off-grid) system. This system will power 25 laptops, 7 sewing machines and music instruments including an overhead projector. This project will be implemented in partnership with MacKillop Catholic College, Western Australia (https://www.mackillop.wa.edu.au)
- Mau Nuno and Suro Crai primary school – The two primary schools will be fitted with 80W solar panels so that functional literacy classes, community meetings and other community gatherings can happen during the evenings. The teachers can also use laptops to aide in the delivery of education in the morning. This project will be implemented in partnership with Ballarat Sebastopol Cycling Club (www.cyclingballarat.com.au/easttimor11) and Friends of Ballarat, BFACC (http://www.ballarat.vic.gov.au/council/international-relations/east-timor.aspx) respectively.
- Hatolia pre-secondary school – The school building is newly constructed with aid from Australian individuals based in Victoria. In partnership with Beaconhills College, Victoria, ATA will ensure that the school is equipped with solar electricity for a laptop and mobile phones.
- Tumin and Maleat Community Centre in Oecussi.
- Laverteri community centre
- Same – Faun Nabilan
- Viqueque – Children on the Edge training facility
2010-2011 Report can be downloaded by clicking here (coming soon). 2009-2010 Project Report can be downloaded by clicking here.
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.
The implementation for 2011 has been scheduled from October 10 – 21, 2011 with 16 volunteers participating from Australia. The team will arrive in Dili on 7 October 2011.
Your donations
To give the gift of light to a village in Timor Leste, visit the ATA webshop and make a donation.
