Bangkok, March 12, 2025:

 President of the Executive Commission of EDTL,E.P.  Dr. Paulo da Silva participated in the 15th International Meeting of the  Expert Working Group on Energy Connectivity in Bangkok-Thailand.

Main objectives

The 15th meeting of the Expert Working Group on Energy Connectivity (EWG-EC) will be organized to seek expert inputs on the implementation of the Regional Road Map on Power System Connectivitiy with a focus on, among others, strategies linked to the following topics:

(i) financing grid infrastructure

(ii) secure and efficient operation of integrated power systems 

(iii) setting targets for grid infrastructure development

President Dr. Paulo da Silva in his intervention said now, as we know that Southeast Asia is one of the fastest growing economic regions of the world and one of the fastest to decarbonize. I think you all may agree that, nowadays developing renewable energy sources is cheaper compare with investing in fossil fuel energy production.

In Timor-Leste, we pay a high price for diesel and are vulnerable to global price shocks. Every year we have to spend over $130 Million on diesel as a result of our dependency on imported fuel, so currently we rely 100% on fossil fuel source.

Meanwhile, Vietnam and Thailand paid between $44-50 USD per MWh for solar power.  The challenge in delivering clean secure energy is not the price of energy, but the electricity grid. If we build more grid and more interconnectors, then the investments in energy generation will come. And, through increased interconnectivity, and increased energy trading, we can deliver cheaper and more robust energy supply.

For Timor Leste, we have our National Strategic Development Goal which we set that by 2030, at least 50% of our energy needs will be served by Renewable Energy options. To achieve this, we have finalized the procurement process for at least 72-100MW of solar PV plant along with 46MWh BESS development which is planned to start late this year. This project is implemented with modality of Independent Power Producer (IPP) for 25 years PPA arrangement. We will also conduct feasibility study this year for exploring wind energy option with estimated capacity of 100MW to complement with the Solar PV option. Likewise, the hydropower option around 50MW. These will help us to achieve our goals and targets.

We may consider in near future to explore ideas of grid interconnection and power trade between Timor Leste and Indonesia (West Timor). The idea of this interconnection was started few years back, however due to some reasons, it was paused.

So, I am pleased to see the Green Grids Initiative and United Nations Economic Commission for Asia and Pacific hosting this inaugural Asia-Pacific Dialogue. The time to act on grids is now, and only through working together on interconnection and on attracting investments into our grids, can our region capitalize on the benefits of affordable energy security.

However, for small state like us, facing financial constraints, human resource issue in developing the sector. In addition to these, Timor Leste is small market and it became un attractive place for investors. For this, we hope that more attention needs to be given to ways how financial institutions are engaged in early project design stage until development stage, also how to give room for the country to take part in the investment through some reflective financial modality which not only benefits investors but also the country. Also, it will be really helpful if there is a technical assistant opportunity available for most needed country, and as well as energy incentives.

We look forward to continuing to enhance our engagement on energy transitions and grid development with the colleagues gathered here from Southeast Asia, particularly as we undertake our journey towards full ASEAN membership.

I look forward to seeing what comes out of this Green Grids Initiative Dialogue and support the efforts of the GGI and ESCAP in bringing this group together to talk about the most pressing issues for our countries.