The Samoan government has declared a state of emergency as the nation grapples with severe electricity blackouts caused by storm damage and mechanical failures at a key diesel power plant.
According to the AFP, Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa described the situation as an “energy crisis” and warned that power rationing could significantly impact the economy, with businesses being forced to shut down.
“The damage to household utilities and the safety of residential buildings has been extensive,” Fiame stated. She added that power shortages could reduce the national economy by more than 15 percent.
The crisis has been building over the past few weeks due to technical failures at the Fiaga power plant, which supplies electricity to Upolu, the country’s most populated island. The situation worsened in early March when a storm inflicted further damage on Samoa’s energy infrastructure, slowing restoration efforts.
To address the crisis, the government has ordered temporary generators and is working urgently to source replacement parts needed to restore Fiaga to full capacity.
Declaring the state of emergency will allow Samoa to access international aid and direct resources toward essential services, Fiame explained.
“We are prioritizing efforts to stabilize the power supply and ensure critical services remain operational,” she said.
