19 Jul 2011

Samoa's Electric Power Corporation breaks ground for a new power station

10:33 am on 19 July 2011

Samoa's Electric Power Corporation has broken ground for a new power station at Fiaga, new Aleisa.

The new station will house four brand new 5.57 megawatt diesel generators, in addition to the three 4.2 megawatt generators at Tanugamanono.

The total power generation capacity of the Fiaga station when fully operational will be 34.9 megawatts.

In his speech at the ground-breaking, Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi said the new station will produce enough electricity to supply the country's growing energy needs.

Tuilaepa says residents near the station at Tanugamanono have complained for years about the noise, pollution and health hazards.

According to the Prime Minister, the Fiaga location was chosen because of its distance from populated areas.

The noise will also be significantly reduced by the construction design of the station which will include sound proof walls and roof.

The new power station is being built by Bluebird Ahlal joint-venture with the Mitsubishi Heavy Industry of Japan and Woods Pacific of New Zealand at a cost of more than 26 thousand US dollars.