A fault along the main electricity transmission line from Fuluasou to the Fiaga Power Station caused a power blackout on Upolu which lasted more than 12 hours in some areas.

It was around 10 am on Sunday when the whole island went off the grid disrupting Sunday plans for many families and impacting businesses, some were forced to be closed.

The power outage also affected the water supply in some areas as electricity was needed to operate the pumps at the water catchments.  In some areas, internet connectivity was also disrupted. Businesses with generators were able to operate as normal but many shops closed early.

Some church gatherings were also impacted as church services were called off.

The Electric Power Corporation (EPC) worked tirelessly throughout Sunday to locate and address the fault.

EPC teams were deployed throughout the day to restore electricity to affected areas, but the blackout also led to secondary disruptions. 

Some communities experienced a loss of water supply as a result of the outage, while fuel stations saw long lines of motorists attempting to refuel, only to be unable to do so due to the lack of electricity.

Despite these challenges, congregations equipped with backup generators were able to proceed with their Sunday services without interruption.

Throughout the day, EPC provided real-time updates via their official Facebook page, informing the public of ongoing restoration efforts and listing the areas where power had been reinstated. 

This newspaper sought comments from EPC’s Chief Executive Officer, Faumui Toimoana Iese; however, he was unable to respond directly, citing his focus on the restoration efforts and advising the public to follow updates on their official page instead.

By Sunday evening, power had been restored to many parts of Upolu and by 11 pm, it was fully restored. 

However, EPC cautioned that work was ongoing to repair high-voltage lines, particularly along the main transmission line from Fuluasou/Tuanaimato to the Fiaga Power Station. 

As the day progressed, EPC identified a critical fault in the underground line between Fuluasou and Fiaga and mobilised their teams to address the issue. The nature of the fault has not been revealed but it is believed that the transmission lines suffered damage.

Additionally, efforts were made to optimise electricity distribution from hydroelectric power plants to support the grid and major facilities relying on backup generators.

EPC also undertook extensive repairs on underground power lines while working to balance electricity distribution across various feeders to ensure a safe and stable restoration process. 

Meanwhile, the blackout was not limited to Upolu—several areas in Savai'i also experienced power disruptions. The corporation conducted emergency repair work in certain locations due to a fault affecting a power pole responsible for supplying electricity to the Samoa Water Authority’s water pump in Fogasavai'i.

Over recent weeks, frequent power outages have been reported, particularly in Savai'i, raising concerns among residents about the stability of the power grid. More than a week ago, generators at the Fiaga Station broke down causing EPC to ration electricity.

While EPC continues to address these ongoing issues, Sunday’s blackout underscores the pressing need for infrastructure improvements to prevent further large-scale disruptions.