Tesla has deployed two microgrid projects with Powerpacks to Samoa to help the country transition their energy production from the more expensive and polluting fossil fuels, like diesel, to renewable energy.
The project are located at the Fiaga Power Station and the Faleolo International Airport on the main island for a total of 13.5 MWh of energy storage capacity.
Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi commented on the new project via Samoa Observer, “Without the new battery energy storage systems and micro grid controller, the system will not be able to operate efficiently with such a high percentage of solar penetration in Samoa of 55 percent,”
Samoa is rapidly transitioning from a fossil fuel-based energy industry to renewable energy.
As of the last fiscal year, 48 percent of electricity in Samoa was generated from renewable energy and 52 percent from diesel. They aim to be completely powered by renewable energy (a mix of hydro, solar, and wind) by 2025.
The islands are now working with Tesla to help make it happen as they see batteries as an essential part of the solution.
Tuilaepa added,“Since the batteries have been running on trial tests, the quality (voltage and frequency) of the electricity supply has been very steady and not fluctuating as before. On least cost operation, E.P.C. is now able to reduce the use of diesel generators from four to two and sometimes limited to one generator during off-peak times. E.P.C. is now working collaboratively with Tesla in taking one step further to totally operate the system without a diesel generator,”
The latest project reportedly cost $8.8 million and was supported by development partners, including the Asian Development Bank, the Government of Japan, Government of Australia, Government of New Zealand and the European Union.