Dili, 28 October 2025 (TATOLI) — In Timor-Leste, lifesaving medicines and vaccines are now safely stored day and night, thanks to a new solar energy system installed at the National Institute of Pharmacy and Medical Products (INFPM) in Dili. At the same time, two rural clinics — in Hatu-Conan (Manatuto) and Bobe (Ainaro) — are now powered 24/7, allowing health workers to provide care even at night and during power outages.
The new solar systems were inaugurated today at a ceremony in Dili, attended by the Ministry of Public Works, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Embassy of Japan, and representatives from Ainaro and Manatuto municipalities.
Samuel Marçal, Minister of Public Works, highlighted the importance of the initiative: “This solar system is extremely important, especially for INFPM. In the past, unstable electricity caused many medicines to spoil. With this installation, we can ensure proper preservation of medical supplies. I sincerely thank the Government of Japan and UNDP for their continued support.” He further called on national institutions to remain focused on rural development, adding: “As Timorese, let us all pay attention and give priority to our communities living in rural areas.”
INFPM’s new solar-hybrid system — including rooftop panels and a rehabilitated battery energy storage room — now powers around 80% of the institution’s energy needs. The upgrade ensures uninterrupted power, keeping vaccines and medicines at stable temperatures 24 hours a day, while also reducing electricity costs by half and cutting carbon emissions. “These upgrades mean INFPM now operates on a clean, stable, and renewable power supply that can sustain all essential functions, even during power cuts,” said INFPM Executive Director Paulina Mendonça Maher.
In rural areas, the new solar systems installed in Hatu-Conan and Bobe clinics — each equipped with solar panels and a battery storage room — allow health workers to provide emergency care at night and to safely store medical supplies, even in remote villages. “Reliable, clean energy is not only an environmental goal — it is a matter of public health and national resilience. Clean energy for better health — this is the change we are celebrating today,” said Adeline Carrier, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Timor-Leste.
The installations were completed under UNDP’s Pacific Green Transformation Project, funded by the Government of Japan in partnership with the Government of Timor-Leste. “Japan believes that nation-building begins with human resource building. We recognize that promoting people’s health is essential for a country’s development, and we have supported Timor-Leste’s health sector for more than 25 years. We are proud to support Timor-Leste’s sustainable climate efforts,” said Tetsuya Kimura, Ambassador of Japan to Timor-Leste.
More than 100 participants attended the event, which featured a video showcasing how clean energy is improving health service delivery in rural areas, followed by the signing of plaques, ribbon-cutting, and the symbolic handover of the solar systems.
The ceremony concluded with a joint commitment from all partners to continue expanding access to clean energy for healthcare facilities across Timor-Leste — ensuring that every community, no matter how remote, can access safe and reliable health services.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
