The Samoan Government’s goal of using 100% renewable energy for electricity generation by the year 2021 is picking up velocity.
But there is always room for improvements, says Minster of Electric Power Corporation, (EPC) Papaliitele Unasa Niko Lee Hang.
“A major hydro-power initiative by government remains in limbo. And if that particular project is up and running, we should have no problem in realizing our 2021 target,” said the Minister.
But he remains optimistic.
Meanwhile by April this year, data from the EPC shows that Samoa’s electricity output for that month was largely supplied by renewable energy sources.
EPC’s General Manager Tologata Galumalemana Lupematasila Tile, said in April, diesel generated power accounted for less than 50% with renewable energy sources ranging from hydro, solar and wind power accounting for close to 60% of the country’s electricity needs for that month.
Three private companies are providing solar power complemented by EPC’s renewable energy input which includes a number of hydro, solar and wind power.
“We are slowly but surely increasing our reliance on renewable energy and it’s a good sign,” he added.
Also in the pipeline is a second wind energy project designated for Tiavi.
The 8 megawatt wind project is in the works and its part of a partnership with a private company prescribed by a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) that requires the company to build a wind farm plus a hydro storage plant on Upolu.
This will generate and supply 48 million units of electricity per year and will be the second wind farm in the country. The first wind farm in Samoa was commissioned in August 2014 at Vailoa, Aleipata.
“This is part of the EPC’s continuous efforts in developing renewable energy sources, so to achieve our Government’s goal of using 100 percent renewable energy for electricity generation” added the EPC General Manager.
The new wind farm is one of many renewable energy installations that are in the pipeline in Samoa.
EPC already have five solar facilities operating in Upolu and Savaii. Three of them are in Vaitele, Tanugamanono and Salelologa, funded by JICA.
Two other solar facilities have been funded by the New Zealand government, including the 2.2 MW system inside the Tuanaimato Race Course and 250 kw on the rooftop of Gym 3 at Tuanaimato as well as a 130 kw system in Salelologa.
There are also plans to refurbish three hydro projects damaged by Cyclone Evans and new hydro schemes are also in the pipeline.
Like many island nations, Samoa has been heavily dependent on expensive diesel for power. According to Promoting Energy Efficiency in the Pacific, diesel power made up more than two-thirds of the nation’s electricity generation as recently as 2011. Approximately 11 million kilowatt hours is currently generated from diesel fuel in Savaii annually.
Electricity consumption in Samoa is approximately 90 GWh per year.
The two largest islands (Upolu and Savaii) consume about 95% of the total electricity generation in the country. Around 96% of households in Samoa are electrified.
For nations such as Samoa, renewable energy isn’t just a token tree-hugging gesture. According to Pacific Climate Change, climate change and related sea level rise are serious threats given that 70% of Samoa’s population and infrastructure is located in low-lying coastal areas. The World Health Organisation also warns the country is prone to increased incidences and duration of new and existing climate-related disease outbreaks.
Samoa has been listed among the top 10 most vulnerable countries in the South Pacific by the IPCC, the International Panel on Climate Change.
Photo supplied. Caption: EPC’s Associate Minister Seiuli Ueligitone Seiuli visits a renewable energy wind farm in China while on a fact finding mission with a parliament delegation recently.