The current state of electricity consumption in Samoa demonstrates a significant reliance on fossil fuels, which account for more than half of the total electricity generation at 60%. On the other hand, low-carbon or clean energy sources make up 40% of the electricity, with hydropower contributing 20%, solar energy at almost 13%, and biofuels around 7%. This mix shows a commendable commitment to integrating cleaner energy sources; however, the country's dependency on fossil fuels highlights the challenges in reducing emissions and mitigating climate change impact.

Is Electricity Growing in Samoa?

Currently, electricity consumption in Samoa seems to be experiencing a decline. The latest data for 2023 indicates an electricity consumption of 692 kWh per person, representing a significant decrease from the 2020 figure of 849 kWh per person. Moreover, low-carbon electricity generation specifically has also decreased, from a peak of 374 kWh per person in 2021 to 277 kWh per person in 2023. Both declines in overall and low-carbon electricity consumption are concerning, as they indicate a slowdown in electricity access and growth, potentially impacting Samoa's sustainable development ambitions.

Suggestions

To enhance its low-carbon electricity generation, Samoa can focus on expanding its existing solar infrastructure, given its potential for scalability and the current contribution to the energy mix. Learning from regions like California and Lebanon, which generate significant portions of their electricity from solar power, could offer insights into achieving higher solar penetration. Additionally, while Samoa currently does not have nuclear energy, observing countries like France and Slovakia, where nuclear contributes to more than half of their electricity, could serve as motivation for considering nuclear energy as a future path to reinforce electricity reliability and reduce fossil fuel dependency. Prioritizing these measures will not only support sustainable growth but also play a critical role in addressing climate change.

History

The history of low-carbon electricity generation in Samoa, as shown by the data, has been relatively stable with minor changes in low-carbon sources over the years. From 2001 to 2012, hydropower was consistent and remained unchanged, emphasizing the steadiness of this energy source in the country's power mix. A visible inclusion in the last few years is of solar power, which started making a mark without any fluctuations, and biofuels introduced in 2021. Despite the stability, the absence of significant growth or diversification in low-carbon energy sources highlights an urgent need to ramp up efforts in expanding and implementing sustainable technologies like solar and, potentially, nuclear energy, to secure a greener and more reliable energy future for Samoa.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade