The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Sun Pacific Energy Ltd (SPEL) have signed a US$2.8 million (approximately AU$4.3 million) loan to expand renewable energy generation in Samoa.
The financing will upgrade and expand SPEL’s Upolu Solar Farm—Samoa’s first independent power producer (IPP)—by installing high-efficiency solar panels. The expansion is expected to deliver 9.6 gigawatt-hours of clean energy annually and cut carbon dioxide emissions by a further 1,944 tonnes. The plant, located at Faleolo International Airport, operates under a 20-year power purchase agreement with the state-owned Electric Power Corporation.
Samoa has faced mounting pressure on its power grid, with prolonged outages caused by generator failures, storm damage, and surging demand. In March this year, the government declared a 30-day state of emergency after widespread blackouts.
“This is the second expansion of SPEL’s solar farm,” said Aaron Batten, Regional Director of ADB’s Pacific Subregional Office. “The generated power will support the delivery of a reliable and sustainable power supply, which will spur economic activity, benefitting commercial, industrial, and residential consumers.”
The deal also supports Samoa’s climate goals, including a 26 per cent cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and sourcing at least 70 per cent of its electricity from renewables by 2031.
“ADB enabled us to create a financing package that is not available in the market due to limited financial players,” said SPEL Chief Executive Officer Jamie Harrison. “This project is deeply rooted in our mission of providing accessible, clean energy to the people of Samoa.”
The project will receive additional backing through a US$225,000 technical assistance grant from the Australian Climate Finance Partnership, administered by ADB, to strengthen private-sector climate initiatives in the Pacific.
