Families without access to electricity are being urged to register for a new Electric Power Corporation (E.P.C.) programme for low-income families. 

“To date there are 15 families who did not have electricity and they are now using isolated solar panels to power their homes," said the E.P.C.'s Chief Executive Officer Tologata Tile Tuimaleali’ifano.

"Each solar panel cost between $4,000-$5,000 and that does not include the meter and installation. But this project is free-of-charge we will provide everything, all you have to do is pay for your cash power.

“This project was a result from the families [and] their stories of financial struggles [which] are featured in the Samoa Observer on [a] daily basis.

“It’s puzzling why these families tell their hardships with the Samoa Observer and they come directly to the E.P.C. and we can help."

Tologata said numerous families responded to an advertisement catering to low-income families, including those previously featured in this newspaper. 

"In 2018 we placed an advertisement [in] the media, asking low-income and isolated families who don’t have electricity to come directly to E.P.C. and stop going [to] the paper," he said.  

“After the registration process, we then sent out a team to assess the area whether they are eligible for this special programme."

He said there were a number of applications of families that wants electricity at their small shed located on their farms. 

“And we made it clear this program is for residences only. It is not for the shacks at the farms.”

To date there are 15 families who have received solar panels installed free-of-charge by the E.P.C. 

This new project is funded under the E.P.C.’s budget and to date the Corporation invested more than $70,000 into project. 

“We have installed solar panels, from families in Lufilufi, Falelatai, Falealili etc., mostly families in rural areas,” he said.