Samoa is committed to reaching its national target of 100percent renewable electricity generation by 2017.

So said Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, speaking during the celebration of National Energy Day.

Tuilaepa acknowledged the kind assistance of the United Nations Development Programme (U.N.D.P.) and partners to maintain their contribution through to 2025.

“I have just returned from Paris for the COP21 discussions on addressing climate change and Samoa had submitted our commitment to reducing emissions through the Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (I.N.D.Cs) document, a copy of which will be launched this morning,” he said.

 “By 2017 Samoa would rely on local renewable energy sources namely solar, water and wind for 100% of electricity generation. Renewable energy sources is good for the environment and for a healthy population.” 

Conference of the Parties (COP21) is aimed to review the implementation of the United Nations Framework on Climate Change (U.N.F.C.C.), and 195 nations met in Paris in the last two weeks and committed to keep global temperature rise this century well below 2 degrees Celcius and to drive efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celcius above pre-industrial levels. 

The National Energy Day celebrations was held at the Samoa Tourism Authority (S.T.A.) Fale, with the theme “Promoting the use of renewable energy for Samoa”.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (M.N.R.E.) organised the event together with partners such as the U.N.D.P, Ministry of Finance (M.o.F.), Electric Power Cooperation (E.P.C.), Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa (S.R.O.S.), Samoa Trust Estates Corporation (S.T.E.C.).

The C.E.O. of M.N.R.E. Suluimalo Amataga Penaia, welcomed the government officials, invited guests and members of the public who joined to mark this day and raise levels of awareness on finding renewable energy sources for electricity generation, as the cost of electricity keeps getting expensive.

The U.N.D.P. Deputy Resident Representative, Jaime de Aguinaga, expressed satisfaction with the commitment adopted by the government of Samoa. 

 “Samoa is to be commended for leading by example and committing to this ambitious target to promote the use of renewable energy.” Mr. de Aguinaga then officially handed a copy of the I.N.D.C. report to Prime Minister Tuilaepa.

U.N.D.P. supported the Government of Samoa in preparation of the I.N.D.C. report and organisation of activities marking National Energy Day, which especially targeted youth groups to raise their awareness on renewable sources of energy. 

Activities organised included a song and skit competition, and paopao (canoe) racing at the Apia foreshore.