Savai’i hydro plant set for commissioning

By Adel Fruean 17 January 2019, 12:00AM

The Chief Executive Officer of Electric Power Corporation (E.P.C.), Tologata Tile Tuimaleali’ifano has confirmed that the commissioning of Savai’i’s first ever hydro power plant at Vailoa Palauli will be done tomorrow. 

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sa’ilele Malielegaoi announced plans of the commissioning at the recent launching of the 600 Kilowatt Tafitoala-Fausaga new hydro power plant in Safata District. 

The project is part of the Samoan Government’s strategic plan to switch to renewable energy by year 2025, in order to reduce the country’s dependency on diesel fuel and cut its carbon emissions. 

The Prime Minister said the Vailoa, Palauli hydro power plant and the 600 Kilowatt Tafitoala – Fausaga Hydro Power Plant took two years to build. 

“All these projects are under the Energy Renewable Energy Development and Power Sector Rehabilitation Project — funded from grants from Asian Development Bank, European Union, Government of New Zealand, Government of Samoa, and Electric Power Corporation.”

“The total electricity demand for Samoa in 2018 was generated from renewable energy sources that were equivalent to 48 per cent. And it is part of renewable energy development and power sector rehabilitation project.”

“The newly opened Tafitoala-Fausaga hydro power plant brings the total number in operation to seven. These include the one in Vailoa Palauli, with one under construction and three more in the planning stages,” he added.

By Adel Fruean 17 January 2019, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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