Samoas energy advances highlighted in Barbados
By Cherelle Jackson
BRIDGETOWN: Advances made by Samoa on renewable energy measures were highlighted this week in Barbados at the High-Level Conference of the Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
Titled: “Achieving Sustainable Energy for All,” the meeting brought together participants from SIDS energy and environment sectors, which included three delegates from Samoa.
Speaking to the conference yesterday, Taito Faale Tumaali Faamoetauloa, Minister of Natural Resource and Environment (MNRE) emphasised on the progress made by Samoa in ensuring sustainable energy.
"The Government spent more than USD$60million on reforming the energy sector. We aim to increase the contribution of renewable energy to the energy mix, by encouraging private sector partnership with the public sector," he said.
Faamoetaulo referred to a study by the Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa (SROS) which looked at vehicles using bio-diesel and one using regular diesel.
"The results found that the car travelled more distance using bio-diesel, illustrating the benefits of reneable energy," he said.
He also highlighted efforts by the Electric Power Corporation (EPC) in controlling the high consumption of energy which include the introduction of cash-power units.
"There is still a lot of work to be done, but we are getting there," the Minister said.
A video of Samoas energy efforts was then showed during the conference.
Oceania Regional Energy Coordinator for the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, Anare Matakiviti praised the efforts of Samoa in renewable energy approach in the transport sector.
"This is an excellent example of data based approach, where Samoa found the sector that uses the most energy and invested in finding ways to decrease this consumption."
Faamoetauloa is accompanied by Leiataua Henry Ah Ching, ACEO of the Economic Policy and Planning Division of the Ministry of Finance and the CEO of MNRE Taulealeausumai Laavasa Malua.