WSHPDR_2013_Final_Report-updated_version

5.2.8 Samoa
Rapa Young, Electric Power Corporation, Samoa
Key facts
Population 194,320 1
Area 2,900 km 2
Climate Tropical 1
Topography Two main islands (Savaii, Upolu) and
several smaller islands and uninhabited
islets; narrow coastal plain with
volcanic, rocky, rugged mountains in
interior 1
Rain Two distinct seasons: a wet season
Pattern from November to April and a dry
season from May to October. On
average, 75 per cent of Samoa’s total
annual rainfall occurs in the wet
season. Northern and western shores
receive about 2,500 mm and inland
areas about 7,500 mm a year 2
Electricity sector overview
Samoa has one of the highest electrification rates in
the Pacific region; with the last census in 2006
showing approximately 98 per cent of the population
with access to electricity. The households with no
access to electricity are mostly scattered on both the
main islands and in remote rural areas.
The Samoan Electric Power Corporation (EPC) is a
state-owned power utility company which is
mandated to generate, distribute and sell electricity in
Samoa. A recent amendment to the electricity
legislation has now opened up the market for
independent power producers to generate and sell
electricity to the network, which is currently being
handled by EPC. The amendments also include the
appointment of a regulator for the electricity sector.
Solar
Coconut oil
Hydro
Diesel
0.01%
0.05%
28.00%
71.94%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80%
Figure 1 Electricity generation in Samoa
Source: Samoa’s Ministry of Finance 3
Note: Data from 2010.
Electricity supply for the main island Upolu is provided
by a central thermal (diesel) power station and five
small hydropower stations. The other main island,
Savaii, is fully powered by a diesel station. One of the
smaller islands Apolima has a centralized solar PV mini
grid system (figure 1). EPC is in the process of building
a 20-MW diesel power station on Upolu to provide
additional generation capacity for the country.
The National Energy Coordinating Committee, a
ministerial level committee which oversees the energy
sector, has received renewable energy project
proposals from overseas investors to generate
electricity in Samoa from renewable sources. This has
led to two power purchase agreements with EPC by
independent companies, for renewable energy
projects (solar and biomass). 3
Small hydropower sector overview and potential
There are five hydropower plants on the island of
Upolu providing about 40 per cent of Samoa’s total
electricity production. Afulilo Dam is the only
reservoir-type plant, while the rest are all run-of-river
plants (table).
Small hydropower plants in Samoa
Plant Type De-rated capacity
(MW)
Afulilo dam Reservoir/dam 4.0
Lalomauga Run of river 3.5
Fale o le fee Run of river 1.6
Alaoa Run of river 1.0
Samasoni Run of river 1.8
Various studies have been carried out over the last 30
years to look at other potential hydropower sites
(figure 2).
SHP installed
capacity
SHP potential
11.9 MW
22 MW
0 5 10 15 20 25
Figure 2 Small hydropower capacities in Samoa
In the last few years, the EPC, with the assistance from
various donors, including the Asian Development Bank
and the PIGGAREP i project, has embarked on a
comprehensive Hydro Data Collection Program, which
involves the installation of monitoring equipment at
potential hydropower sites to collect relevant
hydrological data.
Feasibility studies have also been carried out as part
of EPC’s Power Sector Expansion Project, which is
jointly funded by the Asian Development Bank, Japan
Bank for International Cooperation and AusAID
(Australian AID). The EPC is looking at developing five
small run-of-river hydropower sites in the next few
years based on the results of these feasibility studies.
Renewable energy policy
The Samoa National Energy Policy (SNEP) outlines the
government of Samoa’s target in promoting
renewable energy. The SNEP looks at ‘increasing the
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