Completed projects

2009 Project Highlights

Click here to download the 2009 International Projects Report.

For the ATA International Projects Group (IPG) 2009 was another successful year.  The team of committed volunteers continued their excellent work promoting renewable energy in Timor-Leste. New projects in areas such as water pumping and training development continued to push the boundaries of what we as a group can do. This has allowed the ATA to open a small office in Timor, thanks to Permatil, the local NGO who share the space.VLS install roof

The Village Lighting project continues to grow from strength to strength. In 2009 another 170 households received lighting systems along with upgrades to an existing 90 locations. Through the wonderful fundraising activities of partner groups we are in the position to deliver a further 400 household lighting systems in 2010!

The IPG has also been recognised by the Victorian Premier, coming runner up in the Premiers Volunteering Award – “Community Volunteering Achievement Award”. This is an excellent recognition of the continued hard work of our tireless volunteer team.

2008 Project Highlights!

Project highlights for 2008 include the Village lighting Scheme. Consolidated training program and Wind power partnership in Vanuatu. A project report for 2008 documents all these activities and more and can be downloaded here.

The IPG has undertaken renewable energy projects in East Timor since 2003. We have completed around 90 projects in a range of areas including health clinics, schools and other community facilities.
Achievements

Training

Training and capacity building are an important component of the IPG’s work, and this year we reinforced this by conducting a targeted, 1 week training course for 13 Timorese technicians. This was consolidated by using these technicians throughout our installations in Timor, where they worked alongside the ATA volunteers. This approach proved successful and it is intended to replicate and improve on it, until there are competent technicians in each District of Timor. This technique is obviously working, with previously trained technicians from the Suai Community Centre installing a further 10 systems in Health clinics throughout Covalima.

Village Lighting Scheme

The Village Lighting Scheme aims to improve the living standards of remote communities in Timor Leste. In the village of Besilau a program is operating to replace polluting light sources with solar powered lighting. Under the scheme each household is receiving two solar powered lights and is contributing to a community fund for the system maintenance and upkeep. The scheme is based on the recognised need that ongoing maintenance and skill transfer is required. Mechanisms are put in place to collect ongoing maintenance fees for reinvestment in system upkeep. Technical transfer includes training in the assembly, installation, maintenance and repair of system components. The Basic System used in the project is a small solar power system which powers 2 light bulbs inside the house.
In October 2008 the Second Phase of the project was implemented. Key elements of this included the formation of a Committee of Management, technician training and financial/bookkeeping training. Over 1 week ATA volunteers Mick Harris and David Hewitt worked with local technicians training them in the fundamentals of Solar Power. By the end of the week, these technicians where busy on the roofs and buildings of the Besilau Community installing Solar Power in eligible households. Over 90 systems will be installed during this process. In 2009 the scheme will continue, with lights in a further a further 4 sub villages.

Vanuatu Wind Power

This year the IPG partnered with the Vanuatu Renewable Energy and Power Association (VANREPA) to support the implementation of their project called “The Answer is Blowing in the Wind – Improving access to energy services for the communities of Futuna & Aneityum Islands (Vanuatu) using wind technology”

The main activities focus on: i) the installation of wind turbines at key public institutions at communities in Futuna and Aneityum, installation of battery banks with sufficient capacity to enable households to recharge batteries, ii) the establishment of an island focused Renewable Energy Service Cooperative for the management and maintenance of the systems on both Futuna & Aneityum Islands, iii) the setting up of a billing system for the delivery of energy and the rental of efficient lighting kits. The final direct beneficiaries are over 1,100 people.

Volunteers from the IPG with complementary skills have been involved in helping select sites and develop appropriate designs for this project. Nalini Blacker a wind analyst with Garrad Hassan spent several weeks analysing data to develop the first wind map of Futuna Island. The wind map is being used to select appropriate sites for wind turbines. The wind map raised many interesting issues for VANREPA including sighting of many systems especially given the distribution of people across the mountainous island.

This information has been verified by a field visit by Oliver Crowder, this visit included confirming actual topography and vegetation features as well as discussing mounting systems and other engineering issues with VANREPA and the local community. This work is expected to continue with mapping and site selection activities on nearby Aneityum Island.

Download Information from the 2008 projects

Project Capacity
The IPG consists of a diverse group of renewable energy and community development professionals and volunteers. The group can contribute to improved development outcomes though its ability and desire to deliver:

  • Cost effective renewable energy system installation
  • Capacity building and training in renewable energy, efficiency and conservation and
  • Project management and monitoring

Click here to download our capability statement which outlines the groups skills and proficiencies.

A project in your community
The IPG undertakes activities following a request from a partner community. To apply for a project read over our selection process and objectives before completing an expression of interest form.

Click here to download an expression of interest form.

Download information from previous IPG projects

Funding a project
The IPG has developed several projects in coordination with partners and recipient communities. Small or large donations can make a real difference to the lives in a community.

Get involved

The IPG group holds regular planning sessions, meetings and publicity nights.

To get involved contact:
Prabir Majumdar
Project Manager
International Projects Group
Ph. (03) 9631 5416
prabir@ata.org.au

Make a donation
To give the gift of light to a village in Timor Leste, make a donation at the ATA webshop.