Tafitoala-Fausaga Hydropower Project

After committing themselves to reaching 100% renewable energy by 2025, Samoa needed to construct a new hydropower plant. In a remote location and lacking local expertise, they needed some help—that’s where we came in.

This US$4m project generates renewable energy that offsets the need to burn diesel—reducing greenhouse gases and generating jobs for the local community. With grant funding from the Asian Development Bank, European Union and New Zealand Government, our team assisted Samoa Electric Power Corporation by providing technical advisory services from inception to commissioning, including site supervision of construction.

We worked collaboratively with the client to bring ideas and innovation to the project, using Coanda screens for intakes, alternative pipeline materials, and including resilience features to future-proof against the effects of climate change. The result? We helped buffer Samoa against fluctuating diesel prices and helped to lower electricity tariffs.

During our work, we learned a lot about the importance of keeping land, environmental, and social issues forefront while working on a project. In doing so, we were able to help provide power to the people of Samoa in a way that protects and respects the environment around them.