East Timor starts work on solar power and storage project

East Timor has broken ground on a $107 million solar power plant and energy storage facility in Manatuto Municipality, in a project aimed at reducing the country's reliance on imported fuel.

The project is a joint venture between French company Electricite de France and Japan's Itochu Corporation.

Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao said the project would help diversify East Timor's energy sources during a period of international uncertainty in energy markets. He said conflict, political tensions and disruptions to global energy markets were affecting countries worldwide, and that small countries were often the most vulnerable.

Gusmao said fossil fuel-dependent East Timor spends more than $100 million a year on fuel. He said the new project could reduce that spending by about $25 million to $30 million a year, allowing more money to go to health, education, infrastructure and other national priorities.

The French embassy said the project is expected to be completed in 2028 and to supply about 30 percent of East Timor's electricity demand.