Electricity in American Samoa in 2023
American Samoa currently depends entirely on fossil fuels for its electricity, with close to none of its power coming from low-carbon sources. This means all of its electricity consumption in 2023 was derived from fossil energy, highlighting an urgent need to shift towards more sustainable power generation. The reliance on fossil fuels contributes to environmental concerns such as air pollution and climate change. Transitioning to clean energy sources like solar and potentially nuclear would help alleviate these negative impacts and align with global efforts to combat climate change.
Is Electricity Growing in American Samoa?
Unfortunately, electricity consumption in American Samoa has seen a noticeable decline this year, as the 2023 numbers reflect a decrease from the previous record in 2022. The latest figures show a drop to 3579 kWh per person, which is 146 kWh less than the previous year. Additionally, low-carbon electricity generation has plummeted, with the current generation per person at zero, which is a decline of 207 kWh compared to the previous record. This trend is concerning, as the growth of electricity consumption is crucial for future electrification and the development of advanced technologies like AI, making it imperative for American Samoa to prioritize increasing its electricity supply.
Suggestions
To increase low-carbon electricity generation, American Samoa could look towards other regions that have successfully increased their clean energy shares, especially in nuclear and solar power. For instance, Lebanon generates almost a third of its electricity from solar energy, demonstrating the potential for solar power despite geographical challenges. Similarly, Nevada produces nearly 29% from solar, showing that significant solar generation can be achieved. Learning from these regions, American Samoa can develop solar infrastructure, taking advantage of its natural sunlight abundance. Although nuclear energy may be more challenging to implement immediately, it remains a crucial element in achieving diversified and reliable clean electricity generation. Thus, a future consideration for American Samoa could be exploring long-term nuclear solutions to significantly bolster its low-carbon energy supply.
History
Historically, American Samoa has not shown any significant progress in developing low-carbon electricity generation, with records indicating no change in solar energy generation between year 2022 and 2023. This status quo suggests a persistent challenge in introducing and maintaining clean energy solutions. With no notable advancements or setbacks beyond this stagnation, it's apparent that strategic initiatives are needed to jumpstart the transition toward more sustainable energy practices. Looking forward, significant policy and investment efforts are essential to set the region on a trajectory to diversify its electricity sources and embrace cleaner, lower-carbon alternatives.