Caretaker Minister for Public Enterprises, Leatinu’u Wayne So’oialo, has singled out the Electric Power Corporation (EPC) as the most significant challenge among the 27 public trading bodies under the Ministry of Public Enterprises. 

Leatinu’u noted that while overall services are improving, issues surrounding EPC have posed considerable difficulties.

“The reason why I'm mentioning EPC is that it was one of the biggest challenges, as we all know, with the old generators and the work that needed to be done,” he said.

“The sudden need to order new generators was another. It could happen any time, but now it has already happened; it was something that should have been done sooner or later.”

The 2024 report presented at the forum highlighted some of the key developments.  According to the report, the corporation powered 44602 customers, including homes and businesses and the maximum power generated was 24.49 MegaWatts.

Earlier this year, Samoa experienced a severe power rationing crisis. Since February, three major blackouts have been recorded in Upolu, caused by failures in the national grid and key generators at Fiaga, Tanugamanono, and Taelefaga.

To address the shortfall, EPC implemented a power rationing schedule beginning on 16 March, following a 10MW power loss. Under State-Owned Enterprise (SOE) directives, EPC was required to publish a weekly rationing schedule every Sunday.

On 31 March, the Cabinet declared a 30-day Proclamation of Emergency to manage the crisis and ensure the continuity of essential services. In April, five rental generators were brought in to stabilise the power supply and ease disruptions that had affected both businesses and households since February.

Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa later estimated the national cost of the energy crisis to be equivalent to 16 per cent of Samoa’s GDP—approximately $487 million.

Leatinu’u also addressed the overall financial performance of the public bodies, noting that although the annual target for returns to government is $12 million, the current budget reflects a $3 million shortfall.

He attributed part of this shortfall to the removal of the Samoa Land Corporation (SLC), previously one of the major contributors. 

The Minister further stated that some public bodies had yet to deliver their expected financial contributions, which remains an issue the Ministry intends to follow up on. However, he expressed confidence that, with continued collections and adjustments, total revenue will still exceed the $12 million annual target.

“The services are  improving, so there should be no problems,” said Leatinu’u, “but the only problem is money.”