Savai’i to get its first hydro power plant

By Adel Fruean 10 January 2019, 12:00AM

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sa'ilele Malielegaoi has announced plans by the Government to commission Savai’i’s first ever hydro power plant at Vailoa Palauli.

Making the announcement during the recent commissioning of the 600 Kilowatt Tafitoala-Fausaga new hydro power plant at Safata District, he said the work is complete and the official launching will be held later this month.

“The Vailoa power plant is complete and will be dedicated later this month. The project is part of Government’s Strategic Plan to be 100 per cent on renewable energy by year 2025 — in order to reduce Samoa’s dependency on diesel fuel — to generate electricity and reduce the emission of poisonous gas into our environment that has resulted in major changes in climate. 

“In 2018, 48 per cent of the total electricity demand for Samoa was now generated from renewable energy sources, and it is part of Renewable Energy Development and Power Sector Rehabilitation Project. 

“The Vailoa, Palauli hydro power plant and the 600 Kilowatt Tafitoala – Fausaga Hydro Power Plant took two years to build. All these projects are under the Energy Renewable Energy Development and Power Sector Rehabilitation Project — funded from grants from Asian Development Bank, European Union, Government of New Zealand, Government of Samoa, and Electric Power Corporation,” Tuilaepa said.

Tuilaepa said the newly opened Tafitoala-Fausaga hydro power plant brings the total number in operation to seven. These include the one in Vailoa Palauli, with one under construction and three more in the planning stages.

By Adel Fruean 10 January 2019, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

Upgrade to Premium

Subscribe to
Samoa Observer Online

Enjoy unlimited access to all our articles on any device + free trial to e-Edition. You can cancel anytime.

>