In 2023, fossil fuels supplied three-fifths of Samoa’s electricity consumption, while low-carbon sources provided the remaining 40%. Hydropower accounted for one-fifth of the total, solar supplied about 13%, and biofuels contributed roughly 7%. Clean electricity therefore already plays a substantial role, but fossil fuels still dominate, bringing associated climate and air-pollution impacts.

Is Electricity Growing in Samoa?

Samoa’s electricity consumption per person was below its historical peak in 2023, rather than setting a new growth record. Consumption reached about 690 kWh per person, around 160 kWh—or 18%—below the 2020 record of 849 kWh. Low-carbon electricity generation was also below its peak: approximately 280 kWh per person, down about 100 kWh—or 26%—from the 2021 record of 374 kWh. These shortfalls are concerning as Samoa needs more clean electricity to support electrification and future demand, although comparisons with record years alone do not establish the latest year-to-year trend.

Suggestions

Expanding solar is a clear opportunity for Samoa, building on a source that already supplies a meaningful share of its electricity. Among the reference regions, North Macedonia generates 40% of its electricity from solar, while the US states of Nevada and California generate about 35% and 31%, respectively—examples Samoa can study when planning further deployment. Cape Verde, another island nation, generates about 14% from wind, offering a relevant example for assessing wind alongside solar. Nuclear electricity should also be considered in long-term planning: France generates roughly two-thirds of its electricity from nuclear, demonstrating its potential contribution to a low-carbon electricity system. Samoa could examine emerging nuclear options and international cooperation, with any proposal assessed for suitability to its electricity system.

History

The supplied historical figures show no reported changes in Samoa’s low-carbon electricity generation at the displayed precision. Hydropower changes are listed as zero throughout 2001–2013 and again in 2018–2019 and 2022–2023; solar changes are zero in 2015–2016, and the biofuel change is zero in 2021. Because the figures are expressed in TWh and rounded, these entries do not necessarily mean generation was exactly unchanged, nor do they mean these sources produced no electricity. The record provided therefore shows no discernible increases at that precision, underscoring the value of more detailed data for tracking future clean-electricity growth.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade