Samoa faces ongoing power outages and rationing measures

Samoa's Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata'afa, has spoken to the public about ongoing power outages affecting the country. These issues have primarily impacted the main island of Upolu since February and have caused frustration for many residents and businesses. The Electric Power Corporation (EPC) announced over the weekend that power rationing will continue this week. Prime Minister Fiame highlighted that the electricity supply has faced serious disruptions due to several reasons, including underground cable failures, severe weather, and breakdowns of key generators. A total loss of 10 megawatts (MW) in power supply forced EPC to implement a power rationing schedule starting on March 16, 2025. The Prime Minister stated that the demand for electricity has increased significantly over the past two years, prompting the need for strategic solutions to prevent future shortages. Fiame assured the public that both the government and EPC are taking steps to resolve the current situation. She emphasized that they are working diligently to restore the electricity supply to meet the needs of the country.