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Energy Sector Overview

Government of Samoa

Key Strategic Areas and Updates

Renewable Energy

  • Total renewable energy consumption in 2009 is estimated at 40700 tonnes of oil equivalent (TOE).
  • Biomass consumption recorded a decrease in consumption from the commercial and manufacturing sector. The residential sector recorded an increase in consumption.
  • Solar Energy technology contributes to a minute portion of the national consumption accounting for 0.13% of total renewable energy produced in 2009.
  • Energy consumption from hydro power in 2009 remained the same and stood at 3800 TOE.

Petroleum

  • Prices of unleaded petrol and diesel fluctuated throughout 2009 and peaked in December with recorded increases since January of 23% and 0.3% respectively.
  • Average Petrol and diesel prices for 2009 recorded $2.22 and $2.25 respectively; and in comparison to 2008, average prices decreased by 25% and 31% for the two products.
  • Price of dual purpose kerosene (DPK domestic) fluctuated between $1.93 and $2.30 per litre and also peaked in December.
  • Total petroleum consumption increased by 6.19% from 2008.
  • Fuels consumption by different types of products were roughly the same for 2008 and 2009, recording 45% for diesel, 31% for unleaded petrol and the rest to dual purpose kerosene.
  • By sector consumption, the transport sector accounted for 70%, Power sector 20%, and the rest to the commercial, agriculture, forestry and fishery, and residential sectors.

Transport

  • Petroleum consumption in the transport sector increased by 14% in 2009 over 2008.
  • Land and marine transport demand for petroleum increased by 10% and 57% respectively between 2008 and 2009.
  • Composition of petroleum usage in the transport sector for 2009 was similar to 2008 giving a breakdown of 62.0% to land transport, 27.0% to air transport and 11% to Marine transport.

Electricity

  • Generation decreased by 2% between 2008 and 2009 with diesel generation supplying about 58%, hydro 41% and coconut oil Biofuel 1%.
  • Contribution from Solar was negligible contributing to 0.01% in 2009.
  • Consumption drop at an annual average growth rate 3.4% per annum between 2008 and 2009.
  • Commercial and Manufacturing sector demand decreased by 15.4% between 2008 and 2009

(please refer to energy review reports for details)