The Electrical Power Corporation (E.P.C.) has appealed to the business community to have a backup generator as the country heads into the cyclone season.

The E.P.C. Chief Executive Officer, Tologata Tile Tuimalealiifano, sounded the warning in an interview with the Samoa Observer to explain the cause of the four-hour power outage on Sunday.

He said considering that the electricity was disrupted for four hours on Sunday, the onset of a cyclone in Samoa could see power disrupted for a longer period.

“This is our advice to the business community because we are heading into the cyclone season. They should have a backup generator."

“Considering the fact that the power was only out for about four hours, they would need a generator for a cyclone because the system could be down up to four weeks." 

“It is advised that businesses like the service stations to have these ready for what happens.  That is the partnership in order to continue the nation’s service,” he said.

The Government’s Meteorological Division recently released its 2018-2019 Samoa Tropical Cyclone (T.C.) Season Outlook which forecast two or three tropical cyclones this season. The Office also forecast at least one tropical cyclone that would reach Category 3-strength or more.