In Samoa, more than half of the electricity consumption relies on fossil fuels, constituting about 60% of the total. This indicates a significant dependency on non-clean sources of energy. Meanwhile, low-carbon electricity, which makes up 40% of the total energy mix, is derived from different sources in Samoa. Notably, hydropower contributes to about 20% of the electricity mix, while solar power accounts for almost a third of the low-carbon electricity at 13%, and biofuels add roughly 7%. This distribution highlights Samoa's potential to increase reliance on sustainable energy by moving further away from fossil fuels and focusing on clean energy technologies that can provide both environmental and economic benefits.
Data sources used on this page include Ember. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Samoa?
Unfortunately, Samoa's electricity consumption shows a declining trend. The per capita electricity consumption currently stands at 692 kWh, which is significantly lower compared to the historic record of 849 kWh in 2020, highlighting a decrease of 157 kWh per person. The reduction is also observed in low-carbon electricity generation, where the current output of 277 kWh per person is down by 97 kWh from the 2021 high of 374 kWh. This decline in both total and low-carbon electricity consumption is concerning, as the demand for clean energy is crucial for the sustainable development and electrification needs of the future. Efforts should be directed toward reversing this trend to ensure a steady growth in both overall electricity consumption and low-carbon generation.
Suggestions
To enhance low-carbon electricity generation, Samoa should consider expanding existing solar initiatives, as solar energy offers considerable potential in the sunny climate of the Pacific region. Learning from countries like Cyprus and Nevada, which effectively generate more than a quarter of their electricity from solar power, Samoa could enhance its solar infrastructure to increase its clean energy capacity. Simultaneously, nuclear energy represents a reliable and sustainable option, as demonstrated by countries like France and Slovakia, where nuclear power accounts for at least 66% of the electricity mix. While Samoa currently has no nuclear power, advocating for international collaboration and investment in nuclear technology could provide a reliable base-load power option. Additionally, embracing wind energy, inspired by states like Iowa with 60% electricity generated from wind, could also be a feasible path forward, considering the potential for harnessing wind in oceanic locales.
History
Historically, Samoa's low-carbon electricity generation seemed to have been stagnant, particularly from hydropower, with no reported increases from 2001 to 2023. This period saw no new developments or expansion in hydropower capacity, indicating a missed opportunity for growth in clean electricity. Solar energy arrived on the scene in 2015, but, like hydropower, it did not exhibit notable growth over the years up to 2023. Biofuels appeared in 2021, but without a clear increase in generation since. This historical stagnation underscores the urgent need for Samoa to seize the initiative and expand its low-carbon electricity portfolio through effective planning and investment in more progressive low-carbon technologies like solar and nuclear energy, which offer a path to sustainable energy independence and reduced fossil fuel dependency.
