On May 27, 2011, the Secretary of State for Energy Policy, Avelino Coelho, signed 23 agreements with the Sucos Chiefs for the implementation of photovoltaic units (solar panels) in six Timor-Leste districts.

Of the signed agreements, 12 are for the continuation of projects that have already begun, the remaining 11 are for the implementation of the project in new areas, thus extending the range of the Secretariat of State for Energy Policy’s (SoSEP) plan to electrify the rural areas through alternative and renewable energies. The 11 new sucos that signed the agreement with SoSEP were: Ailelo, Atabae, Beremana, Foholau, Humboe, Lesuata, Manlala, Matorek, Orana, Samara and Tibar.

Besides these agreements, one other was also signed for the implementation of a pilot-project for a community solar power plant in the Mertuto suco (sub-district and district of Ermera) with the capacity of 2 KW. In this way, the SoSEP continues to foment the use of renewable energies as an alternative for electrification of rural areas, contributing for the promotion of economic growth and the reduction of the poverty levels in the targeted areas.