Samoa Energy Sector advocates for Electric Vehicles

Land transportation remains to be the biggest contributor of CO2 emissions in Samoa
and on the global scale, hence its significance in the Energy Sector’s priority actions.
This awareness program draws attention to the Sector’s advanced climate actions
proven to be environmentally friendly in the international arena. Highlighted in the
2
nd Nationally Determined Contribution Report and one of the Sector’s long-term
outcomes in the Energy Sector Plan, is the use of alternative land transportation
proven to emit less CO2 compared to motor vehicles. The initiative was part of the
Electric Power Corporation’s commitment to emissions reductions as Samoa’s urgent
responses to the Paris Agreement.
The Energy Sector on Thursday, 21st October 2021, at the Apita o Pisaga Hall,
Salelologa commemorated the 2nd Sustainable Energy Awareness Program for 2021,
with the theme: Sustainable Transportation through the Introduction of Electric
Mobility. The ceremony started off with a prayer led by Rev. Falaula Ierome of the
Methodist Church at Salelologa, followed the statement by the Pacific Center for
Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency (PCREEE) Regional E-mobility Programme
Manager, Mr. Solomone Fifita. The keynote address was delivered by the Hon.
Minister of Works, Transport & Infrastructure (MWTI), who is also the Minister for
the Electric Power Corporation, (EPC), Afioga Olo Fiti Fonoti Afoa Vaai, the co-
chairman of the National Energy Coordinating Commitee (NECC).
The presentations included; (1) Pacific Center for Renewable Energy & Energy
Efficiency (PCREEE) E-mobility Programme; (2) Energy Sector priorities striving to
mitigate climate change by the Sector Ccordinator, Mrs. Heremoni S Ah-Hoy ; (3)
EPC’s Electric Vehicle initiative by the EPC Chief Engineer, Afioga Fui Tupai Mau
Simanu (4) Guest Speaker was the Country Manager for Ford Samoa , Mr. Simon
Fruean. The presentations focussed on the climate change mitigation priorities that
are now translated to actions through the introduction of the first ever 100%
electric vehicle (EV) in the country, imported by Ford Hyundai Samoa. The
introduction of EVs was initiated by EPC as a pilot study to assess the feasibility of
such transportations in the country, to best prepare the country to make informed
decisions about their e-mobility futures.
The program ended with the Schools Essay Competition, where all the Colleges in
Savaii were invited to take part in. The competiton was carried out in 2 divisions. The
prize winners are as follows:

Division 1 (year 9):
1st place – Miss Le’emo Ielu, Savaii i Sisifo College,
2nd place – Emmanuel Sale, Savaii I Sisifo College,
3rd place – Susana Penatino, Savaii I Sisifo College,

Division 2 (Year13):
1st place – Mr. Kaisara, Mataaevave College,
2nd place – Justin Taoipu, Savaii I Sisifo College,
3rd place – Pamela Faimata, Alofi o Taoa College.

The prizes for the school competition were distributed by Hon. Associate Minister,
MWTI & EPC, Afioga Niuava Eti Malolo.
This awareness programme was the Samoa Energy Sector’s partnership with the
Pacific Community’s (SPC) Pacific Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency
(PCREEE) and its e-mobility readiness programme. The PCREEE supports Samoa from
its EV Awareness programme on the EV Policies and Regulations, Guidelines and
Standards as well as on Demonstration and Upscale.