BPP Partnership Impact Series: Solar-powered coffee hubs driving income and opportunity in Timor-Leste
Since its launch, the Business Partnerships Platform (BPP) has worked with ambitious partners to deliver meaningful, lasting change in communities across the world. The BPP Partnership Impact Series celebrates the outcomes and lessons from our partnerships, highlighting their contributions to inclusive economic growth, resilience and sustainable development.
Our Off-Grid Renewable Energy partnerships across the Pacific and Timor-Leste focused on sustainable, locally-led solutions that expand energy access for remote and rural communities, while delivering tangible social and economic benefits. They are pilots for REnew Pacific, the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific’s (AIFFP) $75 million investment to scale off-grid renewable energy across the region. This partnership installed solar-powered systems at two main coffee processing infrastructure hubs, with an aim to improve energy access, reduce emissions, create new job and income generating opportunities and increase the participation of women in the coffee sector.
Solar-powered coffee hubs driving income and opportunity in Timor-Leste
Through the Australian Government’s Business Partnerships Platform, a partnership led by Engineers Without Borders Australia is helping transform how coffee is processed.
In the highlands of Timor-Leste, coffee is more than a crop, it’s a livelihood for most households. Using clean energy, rural communities are now able to unlock higher incomes and new opportunities.
Raimutin and Koileki are two remote coffee processing sites now operating entirely on solar power. Together, the sites are powered by 34kWp of new solar energy and 50kWh of battery storage, replacing diesel and manual processing methods with reliable, renewable energy. This allows coffee to be processed more efficiently and at a higher quality standard.
Impact key highlights
- Two remote coffee wet mills transitioned to 100% solar-powered operations
- Coffee quality improved to export-grade standards, with higher market prices.
- Over USD $28,000 in additional farmer revenue in the first season
- Women’s participation strengthened through training and employment in technical roles
- Reliable energy unlocking new livelihood opportunities and expanding small business activity
- Proven, financially viable model with strong replication potential.
Farmers are achieving improved coffee grades and receiving higher prices for their harvests, increasing household incomes and strengthening local economies.
During the off-season, excess solar power is shared with nearby households, enabling small businesses, new income streams, and improved daily life.
The project placed a strong focus on inclusion, ensuring women could access and benefit from new energy and economic opportunities.
Women participated in dedicated consultations to shape how energy is used within households and the community. Two female engineers were employed as part of the project, and women have been actively engaged in training on coffee production and business skills. The solar systems are now fully owned and managed by local partners Raw Material and Mara Mresa, with coffee revenue reinvested into maintenance and operations.
In its first season, the model generated over USD $28,000 in additional value across the wet mill operations and surrounding community. This is more than enough to sustain ongoing system costs and support future growth.
With at least five additional coffee processing sites in the region suitable for similar upgrades, the model offers strong potential for replication across Timor-Leste.
By replacing diesel with solar power, the project is also strengthening climate resilience and reducing emissions whilst also delivering reliable energy in remote, off-grid areas. This initiative demonstrates how renewable energy can drive economic development, support inclusive participation, and create lasting impact for rural communities.
View the full partnership impact story below or download here.
