UNDP’s ACCESS Project Kicks Off Training for Timor-Leste Based Operators of Renewable Energy Infrastructure
Thirty participants from Timor-Leste are set to participate in a training program on operating renewable energy equipment conducted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)’s Accelerating Clean Energy Access to Reduce Inequality’ (ACCESS) project, which kicked off on August 22, 2022. The project works on providing equitable and sustainable access to electricity in 23 locations in Indonesia and 25 villages in Timor Leste, with funding from the Republic of Korea.
In collaboration with the Center for Human Resources Development in Electricity, New Renewable Energy, and Energy Conservation at Indonesia’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, these 30 operators will learn the basic installation of Solar PV Water Pumps provided for 11 locations in Bobonaro, Manatuto, and Atauro Municipalities. The program will also include a visit to Kuningan, in the province of West Java, where these operators can develop skills in operations and maintenance, learn about the solar PV water pump system, and service management (operation and maintenance) from the local community and related government authorities.
“With the ongoing climate and energy crises, it is imperative that we all work collectively to develop solutions that will help make our planet more sustainable. I hope through this program, you will learn the requisite skills as we work together to provide equitable and sustainable access to basic services,” said Mr. Nicholas Booth, Officer-in-Charge, UNDP Indonesia, in opening remarks. He added that the ACCESS Project contributes strategically to using renewable energy for basic needs and promotes gender equality as part of its work in partnership with the Governments of Indonesia, Timor Leste, and the Republic of Korea.
Under the framework of SSTC, the ACCESS project is designed to promote an exchange of knowledge and experiences and to strengthen the ties between Indonesia and Timor-Leste. In this sense, as for KOICA, we represent South Korea’s contribution to supporting the cross-board cooperation between Indonesia and Timor-Leste and eventually opening a new chapter in history. Thus, KOICA stands to work for the ACCESS Partnership and is committed to accelerating clean energy access for rural electrification. We hope with this SSTC scheme all the partners will work and aim our goals together, and we also have a strong friendship between South Korea, Indonesia, and Timor-Leste.” Said Mr. Jeong Yun Gil, Country Director KOICA Indonesia.
The event training program began and included a talk show which highlighted the ACCESS project’s collaboration work in line with the South-South Cooperation (SSTC) initiative. The ACCESS project provides training for the operation and maintenance of renewable energy infrastructure as part of the South-South Triangular Cooperation (SSTC).
Panelists included the Director of International Development Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Indonesia, Ms. Briliantina Putri; the Head of the Bureau of Foreign Technical Cooperation (Biro Kerjasama Teknik Luar Negeri), Ministry of State Secretariat, Indonesia, Ms. Noviyanti; the Deputy Director of KOICA Indonesia Ms. So Yeon Ahn; the Director General of Administrative Decentralization, Ministry of State Administration, Timor-Leste Mr. Belarmino Filomino Neves; and the Director of Various New and Renewable Energy, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resource, Ms. Andriah Feby Misna.
“Under the framework of SSTC, the ACCESS project is designed to promote an exchange of knowledge and experiences and to strengthen the ties between Indonesia and Timor-Leste. In this sense, as for KOICA, we represent South Korea’s contribution to supporting the cross-board cooperation between Indonesia and Timor-Leste and eventually opening a new chapter in history. Thus, KOICA stands to work for the ACCESS Partnership and is committed to accelerating clean energy access for rural electrification. We hope with this SSTC scheme, all the partners will work and aim our goals together. We also have a strong friendship between South Korea, Indonesia, and Timor-Leste.” said Country Director KOICA Indonesia Office, Mr. Jeong Yun Gil.
“The world is facing an energy crisis coupled with the climate crisis. It is imperative that we all work collectively to develop solutions that will help make our planet more sustainable. I hope that through this program, you will learn the requisite skills as we work together to provide equitable and sustainable access to basic services,” said Nicholas Booth, Officer in Charge, UNDP Indonesia. He added that the ACCESS Project contributes strategically to using renewable energy for basic needs, promoting gender equality, and developing partnerships between Indonesia, Timor Leste, and Korea.
The project will contribute to the achievement of the National Strategic Plan of Timor Leste 2011-2030, which considers renewable energy as a critical component with the potential to make a dramatic contribution to economic growth and poverty alleviation, particularly in helping to reduce poverty levels in remote rural areas. “The problem we are facing today is the clean water access. And Indonesia has the experience, skills, and knowledge to manage and utilize the solar water pump system at its maximum use. Capacity building for our local operators in the targeted locations for the operation and maintenance is then critical to the project’s sustainability,” said Mr. Belarmino Filomino Neves, the Director General of Administrative Decentralization, Ministry of State Administration, Timor-Leste, Mr. Belarmino Filomino; Mr. Susetyo Edi Prabowo, Head of Center of Human Resources Development in Electricity, New Renewable Energy, and Energy Conservation at Indonesia’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, officially opened the training and certification program, the first batch.
“Solar Water Pumps is a new technology, and it is still evolving, and it needs competent people to operate and maintain them. KOICA and UNDP work with the Center for Human Resources Development in Electricity, New Renewable Energy, and Energy Conservation of MEMR to train locals as operators. With this training, hopefully, all participants will know theoretical knowledge and the pratical skills to be certified and good in practice and get certified,” as said Mr. Susetyo Edi Prabowo, Head of Center of Human Resources Development in Electricity, New Renewable Energy, and Energy Conservation at Indonesia’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources during the talk show.
The ACCESS Project is developed under the partnership of UNDP, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resource (MEMR) Indonesia, and the Ministry of State Administration Timor-Leste with a grant funded by The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).
South-South Triangular Cooperation
The South-South Triangular Cooperation is a framework of collaboration among countries of the South in the political, economic, social, cultural, environmental, and technical domains. Under the South-South Triangular Cooperation between Indonesia, Timor-Leste, and the Republic of Korea, Solar PV water pumps and Highly Efficient Solar Lamp System (LTSHE) are installed in remote villages in Timor-Leste, providing sustainable access to clean water and highly efficient lighting. ACCESS is expected to provide access to electricity for at least 20,000 people in Indonesia and Timor-Leste and clean water for 3,500 people in Timor-Leste.