The HydroTimor weBlog

The production of electricity in the Gariuai Mini Hydroelectric Power Plant has been stopped due to land movement along some parts of the area the penstock passes through.

About a month ago, the penstock in Gariuai started to move, and a part of it was lifted above the ground. This is an unusual happening, and caused a small leakage in the penstock, which immediately was emptied. Shortly thereafter, a large area of 150–200 decare suddenly sunk 2–3 metres, and the penstock was in some places pulled apart. The land that sunk has got big cracks, and some of these cracks are slowly expanding. We are now measuring the expansion of some of the cracks, with both horizontal and vertical movements.

Geotechnical experts are presently working at the site trying to find the reason for the natural disaster, as well as identifying possible actions to avoid further damaging developments, and finding a way for the penstock to cross the exposed area.

Gariuai Mini Hydroelectric Power Plant will remained closed down until the penstock has been repaired.

The access road to the disaster area has been cut off by the land movements. A project team is presently assessing the damages and will recommend further action.

Photo: Basil Rolandsen (Bouvet Foundation)

Motion, a Bar, Restaurant & Lounge in Dili which shows film (with free popcorn!) every Wednesday night, screened the Gariuai film the 11 March 2009.

The film was introduced by Programme Manager Kassius Klei together with Special Adviser Alf Adeler, and they also answered questions from the audience afterwards. The film’s creator, Basil Rolandsen of the Bouvet Foundation also participated (and obviously enjoying the popcorn…).

“Gariuai Mini Hydroelectric Power Project” was produced for HydroTimor on behalf of the Ministry for Infrastructure, and “presents the entire process of construction of the important renewable energy source for Timor-Leste from commencement to inauguration”, to quote the flyer, where Motion urged potential audience “Don’t miss this new public interest film!”

Interested in this film can download it from the HydroTimor website, where also a brochure and other information may be found.

Photos: Basil Rolandsen (Bouvet Foundation)

The Power Sector Annual Meeting between Timor-Leste and Norway was conducted 26 February 2009 in the new EDTL Conference Centre. An institutional cooperation within the power sector was initiated in 2003, and includes the Timor-Leste Ministry for Infrastructure and the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE).

Activities until now include significant human resources training and development, feasibility studies for hydropower projects (including Iralalaru in Lautem), one mini hydroelectric power plant with transmission line constructed (Gariuai in Baucau), and initial installation of a new national hydrological network.

The Annual Meeting requested Norway to continue the institutional cooperation with Timor-Leste for a new period of 5 years, starting June 2009. The main effort should be within human resources development, hydroelectric power planning and construction, and within hydrology.

Priorities include completion of a hydrological network, to cover all of Timor-Leste. A data storing and handling model should be purchased and installed, and people trained to support hydrological data for projects in need of such data.

Another aim is to start the pre-feasibility study for a new mini/small hydroelectric power project around mid 2009.

A complete Hydropower Master Plan for Timor-Leste will be developed as part of the cooperation, and this work is intended to start within this year. This plan will map the available water resources in the country, and analyse possibilities for construction of more hydroelectric power plants. This will be an important resource for developing more clean and renewable energy in the years to come.

The ongoing feasibility study for the Atsabe small hydroelectric power project (in Ermera) is progressing, and the plan is to implement this as a cooperation and training project between Timor-Leste and Norway. The TL government expressed an interest for a co-financing agreement with Norway. Necessary documentation should be completed and decisions made within this year, with construction to be started shortly thereafter!

The 10 November 2008 was a big event for both Timor-Leste and Norway. The first hydropower station in Timor-Leste was opened after a construction period of 3 years! The power plant is a gift from Norway to Timor-Leste, and is constructed as a pilot and training project by local people from Gariuai Sucu, with monitoring support from Norway. The opening was celebrated with a big party at the power house area, with traditional dancing, handing over of tais and a lot of speeches.

More than 200 people participated both from Timor-Leste and from abroad. Among the Timorese participants were the leader of the Parliament, Mr FernandoLasama; the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Zacarias Albano da Costa; the Minister for Infrastructure, Mr Pedro Lay; the Secretary of State for Electricity, Water and Urbanization, Mr Januario Pereira; the leader for the Baucau administration, Mr Antonio; and the Gariuai Sucu Leader Maria de Jesus Belo. From Norway participated the Norwegian Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Mr Eivind Homme; the Chargee d’Affairs Ms Eva Irene Tuft; Embassy First Secretary Mr Tor Morten Sneve; the Director General of Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE), Mr Agnar Aas; the former Bishop of Norway, Mr Gunnar Staalseth; and representatives from the Consultant among others. Also World Bank, ADB, the supplier of the power house equipment Wasser Kraft Volk from Germany, many Embassies with their Ambassadors or other high level people, and many NGOs participated. Basil Rolandsen from the Bouvet Foundation was as usual busy filming the event.

The Sucu leader, Ms Maria Belo made the opening speech, and expressed gratitude for the hydropower project being implemented in her area, and for the benefit of already giving work for more than 1500 different persons, both women and men, over more than three years. This project introduces the cheap, clean and renewable energy source of hydropower to Timor-Leste!

Other speeches were made by the leader of the Parliament, the Minister for Infrastructure, The Director General of NVE and the consultants. Mr Kassius Klei, the Programme Manager and Mr Alf V Adeler, the Senior Adviser introduced details about the project for the audience.

A formal startup of the power plant was made by the leader of the Parliament, the Minister for Infrastructure and the Norwegian Ambassador to Timor-Leste, under guidance from Programme Manager Kassius Klei.

After startup, a good lunch was served. A local band played and local dancers performed. The party continued for a long time, and participants from all the 8 aldeias in Gariuai participated.

The Power Plant startup was a success, and electricity was connected to the local grid through the new 4 km transmission line, also constructed by the project. Together with the Baucau diesel power plant, electricity could then be supplied to all Baucau district 24 hours every day, with no load shedding and with a better quality.

For more details about the Gariuai Mini Hydroelectric Power Project, please see the website, where in addition to general and technical information, downloadable copies of the brochure (in .pdf format) as well as the video (introductory and full versions) may be found.

Photos: Basil Rolandsen (Bouvet Foundation)