In 2023, Samoa's electricity consumption reflects a notable divide between fossil fuels and clean energy sources. More than half of Samoa's electricity, precisely 60%, is generated from fossil fuels. Meanwhile, low-carbon sources make up 40% of the electricity supply. Within the low-carbon category, hydropower contributes to one-fifth of total electricity generation, solar power accounts for a substantial 13%, and biofuels provide almost 7%. This indicates that Samoa is on its way toward increasing the share of clean energy, but fossil fuels still dominate the electricity generation landscape.
Data sources used on this page include Ember. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Samoa?
However, the trend in electricity consumption in Samoa presents some challenges. The latest data from 2023 show that total electricity consumption stands at 692 kWh per person, which is significantly lower than the historic record of 849 kWh per person in 2020. This marks a worrisome change of -157 kWh per person. Low-carbon electricity consumption also decreased to 277 kWh per person in 2023 from its peak of 374 kWh per person in 2021, a concerning drop of -97 kWh per person. These declines suggest that electricity growth, particularly clean electricity, is stagnating in Samoa, which is a matter of concern for future development and sustainability goals.
Suggestions
To bolster its low-carbon electricity generation, Samoa should focus on expanding its existing solar infrastructure, which is already a key player in clean electricity generation. By looking at successful regions worldwide, Samoa can learn valuable lessons. North Macedonia has achieved an impressive 49% of its electricity from solar energy. Similarly, Nevada and Lebanon produce over 30% of their electricity from solar sources. Additionally, while nuclear energy is not yet present in Samoa, regions like France and Slovakia each generate two-thirds of their electricity from nuclear power. With these examples in mind, Samoa could explore partnerships and technology transfers to foster a more robust low-carbon electricity generation framework, helping reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
History
Historically, Samoa's low-carbon electricity landscape has seen periods of both activity and stagnation. From 2001 to 2023, hydropower consistently generated electricity without significant increases, indicating stability but also a lack of growth. This same pattern is observed with solar power, which entered the scene in 2015 but did not see increases in generation for several years. Biofuels appeared in the records in 2021 but have not shown expansion since then. Over the past decades, the stability of hydropower and the static nature of solar and biofuels point to a need for more visionary energy policies and investments in clean electricity growth to meet future challenges. Considering the increasing global demand for electricity and clean energy, Samoa has an opportunity to diversify its clean energy matrix further.
