Timor Leste 35m Tender

The Asian Development Bank ADB has approved a financial Agreement worth 35 million to help provide sustainable reliable electricity to 12 municipalities by modernizing the power distribution system and strengthening the ability of state utility Electricidade de Timor-Leste to manage the electricity grid.The Power Distribution Modernization Project ADBs first power sector project in Timor-Leste will install 140000 smart meters and distribute prepaid cards to help households manage their electricity usage. It will install a distribution automation system to improve network reliability and 30 distribution transformers to reduce overloading.The project will rehabilitate 290 circuit kilometers of medium and low-voltage distribution lines set up a distribution control center establish a distribution management information system and rehabilitate the main distribution warehouse in the countrys capital Dili. The project will also boost womens employment in the energy sector. It will train households especially women on electrical safety and productive uses of electricity.ADB Senior Finance Specialist Daniel Miller said A resilient and reliable electricity system is crucial to the countrys goal of diversifying its economy and boosting industry trade tourism and rural and urban social development. The project will improve the state utilitys operating efficiency improve revenue collection and strengthen its institutional capacity for electrical safety and operations. It will help improve the delivery of public services to households create jobs and support the governments economy recovery plan.Electricidade de Timor-Leste provides electricity to more than 200000 households but its distribution network is in poor condition with excessive voltage drops and persistent service outages.The cost of electricity supply is higher than neighboring countries because of the utilitys slow transition from expensive diesel generation to renewables high technical losses and wasteful consumer use of energy because of a lack of metering infrastructure.The electricity sector receives substantial state subsidies to cover the operating costs of the electricity network.Improving the financial sustainability of the sector is a priority for the government which has initiated energy sector reforms through the recent establishment of Electricidade de Timor-Leste as an autonomous state-owned enterprise. The project will support these reforms by reducing the high levels of network losses in the system and improve sector financial sustainability.ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous inclusive resilient and sustainable Asia and the Pacific while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966 it is owned by 68 members49 from the region.