September 29, 2009, around 6:45- that Tuesday morning the most powerful earthquake recorded in the Samoan islands, an 8.3, shook all of Samoa triggering a deadly tsunami that ended 34 lives and caused untold millions of dollars in damages.
The territory’s main power plant and headquarters of the American Samoa Power Authority was turned to rubble and swept away by the ravishing waves.
At 10 this morning a the few feet away from the spot in Satala where the old power plant was situated, a dedication ceremony is taking place.
ASPA’s new 24 megawatt power plant will be blessed and commissioned.
The new administrative offices of the territory;s utility company has been moved to Tafuna and will be dedicated at a later date.
At Tuesday’s cabinet meeting, Executive Director of ASPA , Utu Abe Malae proudly pointed out that if directors pass by the new power plant, they wont hear any noise.
He said the noise abatement system at the plant is an important feature and necessary for the comfort of neighbors.
Many years ago, a resident of Satala sued the government and ASPA for the loss of quality of life from the 24/7 noise from the power generators.
Utu said ASPA was still collecting receipts for the total cost of the project but he said it was close to $50 million. $17 million was from insurance, the Federal Emergency Management Agency contributed $24 million and the balance is funded by ASPA.
ASPA contracted Louis Berger to design and procure the diesel power generation equipment, as well as complete site development and plant construction through a design-build contract.
Local company Paramount Builders is the main subcontractor. The new power plant is designed to be flood- and hurricane-resistant.
Utu said part of the space which was taken up by the old power plant would now be available to be leased by the cannery.
Governor Lolo Moliga has confirmed that this location will be offered to StarKist for new cold storage facilities.
The cannery had been in lease negotiations with ASG for many months for space at the shipyard to build additional fish freezers.
The commissioning of the new ASPA power plant is slated for 10 this morning at Satala.
