Samoa's Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata'afa Photo: @Pule Puleaina
Samoa's Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata'afa , has addressed the country about the recent power outages that have affected the nation.
The power supply issues on the main the island of Upolu have been intermittent since February, frustrating households and many businesses.
Over the weekend the Electric Power Corporation ("EPC") advised the public that power rationing will continue this week.
Fiame said "since February, 2025, our electricity supply has faced major disruptions due to 3l key factors"
Underground Cable Failures:
- A major fault in the main underground cable between Fiaga and Fuluasou led to a total blackout across Upolu on February 23. Another section of the same cable failed on February 25, requiring further repairs before power could be restored.
Severe Weather:
- Heavy storms on March 9 caused extensive damage to power lines and poles, leading to widespread outages across the island.
Generator Breakdowns:
- On March 15, three key generators failed, significantly reducing power generation:
Fiaga No.1 Diesel Engine (5 MW)
- A piston failure requires repairs that will take 10 to 12 months due to part shortages.
Tanugamanono No.7 Diesel Engine (3 MW)
- A turbocharger issue requires four weeks of repair.
Taelefaga No.1 Hydro Plant (2 MW)
- A bearing failure needs three months of repair work.
With a total loss of 10 MW in power supply, EPC had to introduce a power rationing schedule starting March 16, 2025, to manage the limited electricity available.
Solutions to Address the Issue
The government and EPC have implemented the following four measures to address the power crisis:
- Emergency Power Supply - Five rental generators (5 MW total) will arrive by April 5, 2025, to help with the power shortage
- New Diesel Generators - The government is finalizing the purchase of two diesel generators (4 MW) from HNAC, China, expected to arrive in August 2025.
- Repairs in Progress - Work continues on restoring the Tanugamanono No.7 and Taelefaga No.1 generators, which will add 5 MW once completed.
- Renewable Energy Expansion - A 10 MW solar farm with a 10 MWh battery storage system is set to launch in December 2025, increasing energy capacity by 20%
"The demand for electricity has significantly increased over the past two years, and these strategic solutions will help prevent future power shortages." Fiame explained.
The Prime Minister also said that "the Electric Power Corporation with Government's support are working to address the current situation to return electricity supply to meet the needs of the country."
