ASPA says the $100 million wind farm would cut electric prices by half

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Wind Turbine Farm project spear-headed by the American Samoa Power Authority to reduce dependency on fossil fuels, will cost over $100 million, with construction slated for around 2024, and plans to be operational two years later, according to summary information released by ASPA prior to last Saturday’s town hall meeting on the project.

And two Japanese based companies — Nippon Koei and Renova Inc., which ASPA says are “reputable engineering” firms in Japan — have formed a local company, Tutuila Wind Energy (TWE) Inc., for this project, to be located on east Aoloau.

According to the power authority, ASPA has engaged in meetings with village councils and chiefs directly and indirectly impacted by the wind turbines to get acceptance for such a project on their lands. 

“Without their support, TWE and ASPA cannot move forward,” according to the authority’s summary information, which also states that ASPA entered into a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with TWE to supply 42 MW's (mega-watts) of “renewable wind power to help reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and to help significantly lower our electricity rates.”

ASPA noted that COVID-19 has caused many delays in the progress of the project and “we are now at the point where the project will move forward.”

The project cost will be over $100 million and as part of the PPA, the contractor, is providing 100% financing, engineering, construction, operation and management of the wind turbine farm. 

“Instead of buying fuel monthly at fluctuating costs and burning the fuel in the ASPA generators, ASPA will buy clean wind energy from TWE at a low and fixed price,” said ASPA.

Furthermore, TWE is committed to using local laborers and local contractors to build the projects as well as train ASPA technicians to understand the operation of a wind farm. 

“With the current fluctuating Fuel Surcharge Rate for June 2022 at 36.9 cents and kWh rate of 46.6cents, the price for electricity from the Wind Turbine Farm will be more that 50% lower that today's kWh rates,” said ASPA. “Imagine paying less for electricity and not having high fluctuating swings like we are experiencing now.”

ASPA also shared a preliminary schedule for the project and ongoing studies.

For example, TWE is committed to conducting environmental and archaeological studies. These ongoing studies are planned for 2022 and 2023.  They have also engaged in discussions with the U.S Fish & Wildlife Services on details of the project and will work with them on mitigation plans once studies are completed.

For construction, ASPA said it’s slated to start around 2024 once needed studies and permits are secured. And it will take two years to build the turbines and TWE is committed to limit disturbances to the environment as much as possible.

Commercial Operation of the wind turbine is planned for 2026 and this is when American Samoa can start taking advantage of lower, cleaner electricity rates, said ASPA.

“Clean energy is good for American Samoa and good for the environment. ASPA cannot continue to depend on high prices of fossil fuels to generate electricity. Renewable energy is the way of the future and the only way American Samoa can fight Global Warming,” the authority said.

LOCATION… LOCATION…

The Aoloau location, said ASPA, has ample wind speed needed for a wind turbine farm, as not many sites on Tutuila have the ample wind speeds. Winds in the proposed area are coming from the east side and going North West. There is also less noise factor as winds are heading away from Aoloau village.

Additionally, the 10 Wind Turbine Farm will be located away from houses and personal property. The Aoloau location is beyond the 500 meter, at least 1,500 feet, international standards boundary needed for wind turbine set back from structures. 

Other summary details of the project are posted on ASPA’s Facebook page but some lawmakers told Samoa News that they plan to “seek more specific written details in an official report,” when the Fono convenes next month for the 4th Regular Session.

Last week a town hall & zoom meeting was held by ASPA that was open to the public to review and answer questions about the wind turbine project and its possible impact to the community and environment.