Samoa will open its first biomass gasification plant at Mulifanua at the beginning of next year.

This was confirmed by the Electric Power Corporation (E.P.C.) Chief Executive Officer, Tologata Tile Tuimaleali'ifano, in an interview with Samoa Observer.

The plant aims to generate 750 kilowatts of power using the invasive merrimia vine.

The project is funded by Global Environment Facility (G.E.F.) Trust Fund and the United Nations Development Programme (U.N.D.P.) for improving the performance and reliability if Renewable Energy Power Systems in Samoa (IMPRESS) Project.

The aim of the project is to improve sustainable and cost-effective utilization of indigenous renewable energy resources for energy production in Samoa.  

“We are working together with Samoa Trust Estates Corporation (S.T.E.C.) and Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment’s (M.N.R.E.) on this project,” said Tologata.

Work is underway to build a generator that runs to burn of invasive species of plants.

Tologata added that Samoa is halfway in meeting its target of 100 per cent renewable energy by 2025 with only 50 per cent renewable energy and 50 diesel.

“We are also trying to commission our new generator at Fuluasou Hydro Power Plant because the generator there is old. We have finished the power house and hope that by next year we launch that project.

“We are working with an American company called Green Market in doing a tender document for the remaining renewable energy left.

“This company is able to assist us in reaching a global market with the hope to find big companies that will make the costs cheaper.”

"The tender which we are preparing is a combination of sources from solar, wind, biomass in order to coordinate well.”