Government Plans to Develop Wind Energy Projects in Viqueque and Bobonaro
On October 6th, 2026, in Dili, the Government, through the Ministry of Public Works and Electricity of Timor-Leste, EP (EDTL, EP), signed a technical assistance agreement with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, to prepare wind power generation projects in Larigutu in the municipality of Viqueque and in Oeleu in the municipality of Bobonaro.
The agreement provides EDTL with technical support from the IFC to prepare the projects, including the necessary studies and documentation to launch a public tender to mobilise private investment for implementation.
The Minister of Public Works, Samuel Marçal, said that developing wind energy is part of the Government’s plans to diversify electricity sources, reduce dependence on imported fuels, and lower energy production costs.
“We will be able to start using energy from the wind and the sun, thereby reducing the budget for electricity generation,” the Minister said.
Feasibility studies are already underway, and 100-metre-tall towers have been installed in Larigutu and Oeleu to collect and analyse wind data. Technical teams from the IFC and EDTL will continue preparatory work and the detailed definition of the projects.
Paulo da Silva, Chairman of the Board of Directors of EDTL, explained that the tender is scheduled to be launched in 2027 and that, if the process proceeds as planned, the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) could be signed in the middle or at the end of that year.
The projects are expected to follow the Independent Power Producer (IPP) model, under which the private sector will make the investment, as adopted for the solar photovoltaic project in Laleia in the municipality of Manatuto.
The World Bank Group Representative in Timor-Leste, David Freedman, noted that the technical assistance will support project preparation and help achieve the targets set out in the 2027–2030 Medium-Term Plan.
According to the timeline presented, the procurement process is expected to begin in 2027, with project completion planned for 2028 or 2029. The Government has also set a goal to increase EDTL’s financial autonomy between 2030 and 2031 and to reduce its dependence on State subsidies.
