As of 2023, electricity generation in Samoa is primarily reliant on fossil fuels, accounting for 60% of the country's electricity consumption. Low-carbon energy sources contribute 40% to the electricity mix, highlighting a significant but incomplete shift towards clean energy. Hydropower stands as the leading low-carbon energy source, providing 20% of the nation's electricity, while solar energy accounts for approximately 13%, and biofuels make up nearly 7%. Despite a promising proportion of electricity from clean sources, Samoa's energy grid is predominantly fossil-fuel based, indicating a substantial avenue for improvement.
Data sources used on this page include EIA and Ember. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Samoa?
Although Samoa is currently consuming 692 kWh of electricity per person annually, this figure reflects a decline compared to the peak consumption recorded in 2018, which was 964 kWh per person. This represents a decrease of 271 kWh per person. Similarly, low-carbon electricity generation has experienced a dip, with the latest numbers being 277 kWh per person, down by 97 kWh from the record in 2021. These declines in both overall and low-carbon electricity consumption suggest a worrying trend that might hinder Samoa's ability to meet future demands, especially as the global push towards more sustainable energy continues to intensify.
Suggestions
To bolster Samoa's low-carbon electricity generation, expanding solar power could be highly effective given its significant existing contribution. Drawing on successful examples from other regions, Samoa could also learn from Lebanon and Nevada, where solar energy plays a vital role, contributing around 30-31%. Moreover, while Samoa might not currently generate nuclear energy, gaining insights from countries like France and Slovakia, where nuclear energy accounts for more than half of their electricity generation, could offer valuable lessons for future diversification of clean energy. As solar and nuclear technologies have proven successful in various regions globally, such diversification could facilitate a more robust low-carbon electricity infrastructure in Samoa.
History
Looking back over recent years, Samoa's low-carbon electricity generation has seen limited growth. In 2021, there was a modest increase in hydropower, but there was no change in solar or biofuels contributions from 2021 through 2023. These stagnant trends in clean energy growth are disappointing, particularly in the context of a world battling climate change and rising levels of pollution. Without significant advancements or policy interventions, the potential of harnessing more low-carbon electricity remains unfulfilled in Samoa. Expanding solar power and exploring nuclear possibilities could propel Samoa toward a more sustainable energy future, aligning with global trends and demands for clean electricity.
