The first renewable energy project in Manu’a to be completed will be commissioned at the end of this month.
$8.1 million of the American Samoa Economic Development Authority bond money went to paying ASG’s utility bill with the American Samoa Power Authority, and the alternative energy projects, intended to make Manu’a fully powered by renewable energy sources.
Mike Langier, ASPA’a renewable energy project manager discussed the status of the Manu’a projects at the ASEDA Board press conference last weekend.
The biggest project is based in Ta’u and would supply 1.4 megawatts of power.
The system consists of solar photovaltaic panels, 6 hours of battery storage and three back up generators.
The solar project would provide 100% of Ta’u’s power supply.
The contractor for the Ta’u project is Solar City.
On Ofu, a smaller size solar project is being built, to generate 34 kilowatt hours of power.
This has a 1 megawatt battery and will also have 3 generators as back up.
The Ofu project, which should be on line next month, would provide 80% of power for Ofu and Olosega, and Langier says they hope to upgrade the system to supply 100% of power for those islands before the end of the year.
PCI is the contractor for that project.
In addition ASPA is replacing the switch gear and distribution lines in Manu’a and have all homes and government offices in Manu’a using LED lights.
Langier explained some of the benefits of the Manu’a renewable energy projects.
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And residents of Tutuila and Aunuu should see a drop in their utility bills.
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