There’s new funding from the Department of Interior, Office of Insular Affairs for renewable energy projects in American Samoa, Northern Marianas and the Virgin Islands.
A grant of $3.1 million, announced today by Asst Secretary of Insular Areas Esther Kia’aina is to help reduce dependence on imported fuel oil in these territories.
Its provided through the Empowering Insular Communities Program of the Office of Insular Affairs (OIA).
Kiaaina said, “We are very excited that the Manu’a Islands in American Samoa will soon be 100% powered by renewable energy.
“We also recognize that the territories will need to continue to rely on some combination of fossil fuels and renewable energy sources. These grants are creating efficiencies that will reduce the cost of energy for the territories.”
Empowering Insular Communities grants to be awarded this week are:
The American Samoa Power Authority (ASPA) is receiving – $368,468 for Manu’a Islands Demand Side Management Program and $927,500 for Supplemental Battery Storage.
A major strategy of the American Samoa Energy Action Plan is for all three islands of Manu’a to obtain 100% of their electrical power from renewable sources.
According to OIA, leading micro-grid experts have proposed two final projects to help Manu’a attain energy sovereignty: 1) Demand-side efficiency measures and 2)1.5 MWh of additional battery storage on Ta’u.
OIA says reducing the overall demand for electricity is the most cost effective way of reaching the goal of 100%.
All sodium vapor streetlights will be converted to LED lights, reducing energy consumption by half.
LED lighting will also replace less-efficient lighting sources in all commercial structures and schools to include additional energy retro-fits.
In all, these energy conservation measures are estimated to reduce demand for electricity by 15% in all three islands.
ASPA will also install 1.4 MW of solar panels and 4.2 MWh of Tesla batteries on Ta’u.
The project will offset approximately 90% of diesel consumption in Ta’u.
The additional battery storage, coupled with two 100-kW wind turbines which will be funded locally will bring the total renewable energy capacity to 100% and bring Manu’a to its self-sufficient energy goal.
