Management of Electricidade de Timor-Leste

A group of MHI professionals are currently stationed in East Timor to oversee the management of operations for the Electricidade de Timor-Leste (EDTL). Directors have been installed in the utility’s senior management positions, supported by supplementary subject-matter experts. Their responsibilities include the day-to-day management of the organization, medium-term planning of the utility’s business, and generation planning, among several others.

MHI specialists have focused their efforts on improving the financial performance of the utility and ensuring that proper procedures are followed for procurement and related processes. They have also concentrated upon educating the utility’s workforce to build knowledge and increase awareness of updated policies and procedures, and developing a repertoire of sustainable employee skills. In order to meet the nation’s growing demand for electricity, a major focus of MHI has been the improvement of the quality of electrical service in Timor-Leste and the expansion of the utility’s current capacity and accessibility of electricity. Furthermore, MHI has been working with Government, stakeholders, and international funding agencies to develop a holistic and pragmatic approach to effective management of the electricity sector in Timor-Leste.

Thus far, MHI has been successful in completing a number of notable initiatives related to the focused goals mentioned above. To improve financial performance, MHI has implemented financial and audit controls, and has completed four zero-based budget cycles. Employee-focused endeavours include the compilation of a skills inventory and training needs assessment within EDTL, scheduling and delivering of line staff and management training, and the hiring of a substantial number of new employees. Many tasks have been undertaken to increase the generation capacity of EDTL within the country and residents’ corresponding access to electricity. MHI specialists have added several megawatts of additional capacity to the capital’s Comoro Generating Station. The team has also championed numerous distribution system repairs and maintenance activities in the country’s districts and sub-districts, and rehabilitated and upgraded several generation units in the country’s rural areas. Finally, MHI has designed a staggered tariff system and user-pay program, complete with a supporting media campaign to encourage both access to and payment for electricity.