In 2023, fossil fuels supplied 60% of Samoa’s electricity, while low-carbon sources provided the remaining 40%. Hydropower was the largest clean electricity source, accounting for one-fifth of the total. Solar supplied about 13%, and biofuels contributed around 7%. Samoa therefore already has a substantial clean electricity foundation, but fossil fuels still supply more than half of its electricity, contributing to climate change and air pollution.

Is Electricity Growing in Samoa?

Samoa’s latest figures show electricity consumption below its historical peak, rather than sustained growth. Consumption reached 692 kWh per person in 2023, down 157 kWh, or about 18%, from the 2020 record of 849 kWh per person. Low-carbon electricity generation was also below its peak: 277 kWh per person, compared with 374 kWh in 2021—a decline of 97 kWh, or roughly 26%. These shortfalls are concerning, particularly because expanding electrification requires more electricity and a growing supply of clean generation. Comparisons with record years, however, do not establish whether consumption rose or fell from 2022 to 2023.

Suggestions

Expanding solar is a clear opportunity for Samoa, building on its existing contribution of about 13% of electricity. The island region of Cyprus, where solar supplies 24%, offers a relevant example, while North Macedonia generates 40% from solar. Samoa could pair additional solar with storage and grid improvements, and assess wind opportunities using lessons from the island country of Cape Verde, where wind supplies 14% of electricity. Nuclear should also be considered in long-term clean electricity planning, with France and Slovakia demonstrating its ability to provide around two-thirds of electricity. Samoa can learn from their experience while assessing options appropriate to its electricity demand and grid.

History

The supplied historical figures show no recorded year-to-year changes at the displayed precision, rather than clear evidence of substantial growth. Hydropower changes are listed as zero TWh throughout 2001–2013 and again in 2018–2019 and 2022–2023. Solar likewise shows zero TWh changes in 2015–2016, while biofuels show zero in 2021. Because Samoa’s electricity system is small, figures rounded to whole TWh can conceal meaningful changes; these entries therefore cannot establish that generation was exactly unchanged. More precise figures would be needed to trace its clean electricity development and identify periods of expansion or decline.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade