Electricity in American Samoa in 2023
In American Samoa, the current state of electricity generation is heavily reliant on fossil fuels, with close to 100% of its electricity coming from these high-emission sources. There is tragically close to no generation of low-carbon or clean energy, which leaves great potential for improvement. The lack of sustainable energy sources places the territory at odds with the urgent global necessity to mitigate climate change, reduce air pollution, and promote energy security through diversified and green energy portfolios. By not yet harnessing the potential of low-carbon technologies such as solar or nuclear energy, American Samoa continues to contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, highlighting the urgent need for transition to cleaner energy solutions.
Is Electricity Growing in American Samoa?
The data from 2023 indicates that electricity consumption in American Samoa has slightly decreased compared to 2022. The total electricity consumption per person in 2023 was approximately 3,579 kWh, which is 146 kWh lower than the previous year. This decline is noteworthy and somewhat concerning, especially with the modern need for expanding clean electricity to support new technologies and industries. Furthermore, low-carbon electricity generation has seen a sharp drop, recording at zero kWh per person this year, compared to 207 kWh per person in 2022. These numbers suggest that not only is electricity demand not growing, but the shift to low-carbon resources is reversing, which poses additional environmental and energy independence challenges.
Suggestions
To increase low-carbon electricity generation, American Samoa can learn from successful regions with elevated shares of clean energy. The integration of solar power, as seen in Lebanon with 31% and Nevada with 27% of their electricity generated from solar, provides an effective blueprint for a sunny region like American Samoa. Further, nuclear energy's effective implementation in countries like France where it constitutes 68% of electricity generation and Slovakia with 62%, underpins the potential of adopting nuclear technologies for stable and significant low-carbon electricity output. Emulating these strategies could drastically improve American Samoa’s energy sustainability, diversify its energy mix, and contribute to global efforts to reduce fossil fuel dependency.
History
The historical data depict a stagnation in developing low-carbon electricity sources in American Samoa, notably with solar energy showing zero growth in 2022. The territory’s struggle to advance its energy profile with sustainable sources like solar highlights a missed opportunity to capitalize on its geographic advantages. This history of limited development in clean energy marks an urgent call for American Samoa to prioritize investments and policies that favor the growth of solar and potentially nuclear energy. By embracing these strategies, American Samoa could better position itself to meet global energy demands, reduce environmental impacts, and enhance its energy resilience.