LocationsAccelerating Samoa’s green energy transition
May 2, 2024
Accelerating Samoa’s green energy transition
By using solar powered electric transport
As part of the ambitious Greening Moonshot Initiative aiming to cut the carbon emissions of UNDP by half by 2030, UNDP Samoa recently made a significant investment in sustainable transportation. This includes acquiring an electric vehicle (EV) and a solar-powered Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) for its national office. These efforts represent just a fraction of the broader greening endeavours underway in Samoa.
Launched in 2023, Samoa’s Climate Action Pathways for Island Transport (CAP-IT) project, backed by a US$15.5 million investment from the Government of Japan, aims to accelerate the nation's transition to a green, low-carbon future. Implemented by UNDP, the project focuses on decarbonizing transportation through e-Mobility solutions.
UNDP Resident Representative, Aliona Niculita, emphasized the project's role in setting the foundation for Samoa's transition to greener transport solutions, with a long-term vision of incorporating these practices for the public,
"The CAP-IT project is our first step towards reducing the dependency of Samoa's transport sector on fossil fuels. This initiative not only contributes to fighting climate change but also aims to enhance air quality and public health".
Member of the Samoan Fishing Association showing the UNDP project team their ice making machine.
Manono, Samoa. Manono Island's wharf, a vital link to Upolu.
In the project's first year, significant milestones were achieved: over 50 site surveys conducted, a tailored solar-powered EV charging system developed, and 76 EVs procured, including sedans, SUVs, pickup trucks, passenger vans and first-responder fire trucks, to replace the Samoa Government's existing fleet. High-level briefings and workshops were held for local and national stakeholders, Additionally, three comprehensive studies on low-carbon land and maritime transport as well as end-of-life EV battery management needs were completed.
UNDP Green Energy Analyst, Peter Lusis, recently visited Samoa to provide technical guidance on the operation and monitoring of EV charging stations, including on-site demonstration for national stakeholders, a technical workshop and site inspections. Peter expressed that, "the visit provided an excellent chance to evaluate how well the EV charging technology and real-time monitoring solutions operate under Samoa's specific climate conditions, before rolling out the EV charging infrastructure nationwide."
UNDP Green Energy Analyst Peter Lusis demonstrating how the EV charging station works
To promote e-Mobility solutions nationally, UNDP is exploring cloud-based EV fleet management solutions, with trials together in collaboration with Samoa Electric Power Corporation underway. A vehicle-to-building (V2B) concept is also being implemented, which utilizes bi-directional charging technology to charge vehicles while also serving as a backup energy source, feeding power back to buildings during peak demands or grid outages. Additionally, site surveys for expanding charging stations to electric boats are underway.
As the CAP-IT project serves as a pilot with government EVs, plans are in place to scale it up and promote it nationwide. Access to EV charging facilities will be available for the public, showcasing and further promoting e-Mobility at a local level.