Samoa kore energy storage battery

Tesla specialists are on the ground assisting Samoa's electric power corporation engineers to ensure its battery energy storage systems are operating to support Samoa's energy needs during the current power crisis. Image: Electric Power Corporation, Samoa

Local media reports say Tesla crews were in Samoa working on a routine maintenance visit but are now helping EPC with the maintenance of all EPC's batteries, which store 6 MW of power sourced from a network of solar farms owned by independent power providers (IPPs) and include the Tanugamanono, Fiaga, Tuanaimato, Salelologa and Faleolo solar farms.

The crisis has led to up to 16 hours of daily power interruptions across Upolu requiring extensive power rationing coordinated by the Electric Power Corporation (EPC). Samoan Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa said the economic impact of the crisis is estimated to cost up to 16% of Samoa's GDP.

Problems began on February 23 when the country's main high voltage (HV) underground cable failed between the Fiaga and Fuluasou power stations causing a blackout on the island of Upolu, the second largest in the Samoan islands area, impacting 200,000 people. This event was followed by a second failure on February 25.

By the end of 2020, solar PV and wind turbine capacities reached 580MW, or 32.4% of total power capacity of Jeju, and total installed BESS capacity was 87MWh. Figure 12 outlines the increase in renewable generation capacity in Jeju and Korea.

Samoan Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa said the economic impact of the crisis is estimated to cost up to 16% of Samoa's GDP. This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: [email protected].