The SAT $11.3 million Afolau Biomass Gasification Power Plant, is a first of its kind facility to be set up in Samoa and the region. Contact online >>
The SAT $11.3 million Afolau Biomass Gasification Power Plant, is a first of its kind facility to be set up in Samoa and the region.
The launching of a new electricity source that will benefit up to 5,000 families on the north-western side of the island of Upolu, is a milestone for Samoa''s renewable energy efforts. It is also a significant contribution to the country''s climate action commitments.
"This project is one of the Government''s long-term development goals to generate 100 per cent of the country''s electricity needs from renewable energy sources by 2025, which is Samoa''s contribution under the Paris Agreement, to reduce Green House Gas emissions, as well as reduce Samoa''s reliance on diesel as we are now doing," said Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi.
"At the moment, up to 50 per cent of our electricity needs are being produced by renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and hydro power. We can now add biomass gasification – a new renewable energy source for Samoa and countries in our region – to that list. This Plant also adds to Samoa''s contribution to global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, or carbon dioxide which have depleted the ozone layer, and which have severely impacted on global warming and climate change as we have seen recently with cyclones Evan and Gita."
Biomass gasification is a process whereby wood chips are dried before feeding inside a gasifier in which, without oxygen, produce syn gas at very high temperatures then cooled down before being used to produce electricity from gas generators that is then sent to the Electric Power Corporation grid. Weeds and invasive species like tamaligi, puluvao, coconut logs, husks and coconut shells are chopped up and used as fuel to feed the biomass gasifier.
The Plant will produce five-million-kilowatt an hour (kWh) of electricity per annum based on running the 750kw plant at 85 per cent of its capacity 90 per cent of the time, and will save the country up to 1.2 million litres of diesel per annum at a cost of $3 million Tala. It will also reduce emission of carbon dioxide by 3.7 tonnes a year from a diesel power station, to add to the total of 60 tonnes per annum of harmful gases that have been reduced through use by EPC of renewable energy sources such as hydro, solar and wind.
The Plant is part of activities under the IMPRESS – Improving the Performance and Reliability of Renewable Energy Power Systems in Samoa – Project. This project was funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) via the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the European Union and the Government of Germany''s Government Agency of International Cooperation (EU-GIZ ASCE). The project was implemented by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Ministry of Finance, Electric Power Corporation (EPC) and the Samoa Trust Estates Corporation (STEC).
"UNDP is fully committed to working with the Government of Samoa in addressing the threat of climate change. Samoa has shown great dedication in combating climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming, amongst other commendable actions," said UNDP Resident Representative, Jorn Sorensen.
"The launching of this Plant has proven to the region and the world that Samoa remains true to its word and means business when it comes to climate-proofing its future. The Biomass Gasification Power Plant has made Samoa an example to other Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to emulate in the wise use of its indigenous biomass resources as a sustainable energy resource, as well as incorporating it with Samoa''s other developments in areas like agriculture as demonstrated by STEC."
Construction for the Biomass Gasification Power Plant began in February 2019 and ended the same month in 2020. It was connected to the EPC grid in April 2020.
One UN House,SIDS Street, TuanaimatoApia, SAMOA
Pacific Island nations are particularly susceptible to climate change and face high costs and energy security issues from imported fossil fuels.
For these reasons many Pacific Island nations have developed ambitious 100 per cent renewable energy targets. However, they have not been subject to rigorous peer-reviewed studies to help develop these targets and pathways for achieving them in the same way as more developed countries.
To meet this need, Otago Energy Science and Technology Masters student Tupuivao Vaiaso mapped future scenarios for Samoa''s electricity system by carefully balancing renewable supply and electricity demand.
The study, published in Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, shows high proportions (above 90 per cent) of renewable generation coupled with battery or pumped hydro energy storage is technically feasible, and economically viable -- it would cost far less than current electricity production.
A special combination of characteristics makes this possible: great solar resources with very little seasonal variation; little variation in demand due to constant seasonal conditions; and high electricity prices from the current use of diesel.
However, the results also show there is a significant trade-off between percentage of renewable supply and affordability. To counter this, Mr Vaiaso says targets should be set just below 100 per cent for it to be economically attractive and/or biomass options (like the recent biomass gasification plant) could potentially be considered for the last few percent.
Co-author Associate Professor Michael Jack, Director of the Energy Management programme in the Department of Physics, says the study shows an affordable pathway to achieve renewable energy targets which is important as cutting emissions must be achieved in a way that does not increase energy hardship.
"These results have important implications for energy policy directions for Samoa and are directly applicable to many other countries in the Pacific," he says.
He believes the study also suggests Pacific Island nations are an important option for the growing trend in international sustainable finance.
"The high price of electricity means that renewable options are much more economically attractive than many other countries. These are essentially low hanging fruit that provide multiple benefits and, I imagine, would be attractive to these funding bodies."
*Mr Vaiaso would like to acknowledge financial support for his MSc studies from the New Zealand Aid Programme and the National University of Samoa.
Materials provided by University of Otago. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
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Nestled within the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Renewable Energy Division (RED) is at the forefront of shaping Samoa’s environmental landscape towards a low-carbon economy. Established in 2007, RED has emerged as a beacon of change among the 15 dynamic divisions.
At its core, RED champions climate change mitigation through renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives, guided by comprehensive policies and strategies. Aligned with Samoa’s commitments to international agreements, RED’s work is steered by the 1st and 2nd Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
In addition, RED follows the directives outlined in Samoa’s Low Carbon Development Strategy, NDC Roadmap, and Investment Plan. These strategic documents serve as roadmaps, guiding RED’s efforts towards achieving ambitious targets, including the goal of attaining 70% renewable energy use by 2031, as set forth in the Pathway Development for Samoa.
Furthermore, RED is eagerly anticipating the forthcoming National Renewable Energy Policy of 2024, which will provide a comprehensive framework for further advancing renewable energy development in the nation.
Through seamless collaboration with government Ministries, particularly in Energy and Environment, as well as engagement with national and overseas stakeholders and multi-donor partners, RED creates waves of change that resonate throughout the nation.
Innovation, dedication, and collaboration are the cornerstones of RED’s journey towards illuminating a path to a brighter, cleaner tomorrow for Samoa.
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