Samoa: Solar Power Development

Nonsovereign Project | 49339-001

The financing of up to $3 million involves the 1.8 MW expansion of an existing 2.2MW solar farm that has been in operation since April 2015. The existing facility was completed in December 2015. The project sponsor has already invested about $3.5 million for the construction of the existing solar farm that has generated approximately $1.7 million in revenues since starting operations. An independent power producer, Sun Pacific Energy Limited, is the owner and operator of the plant. Prior to the expansion, the plant sold 3.5 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of solar power per year to EPC, the national utility company. The expansion was completed in May 2018 and has increased the project's the energy yield to 6.5 million kWh per year.

Project Details

  • Project Officer
    Ahmed, Salman
    Private Sector Operations Department
    Request for information
  • Country/Economy
    Samoa
  • Sector
    • Energy
Project Name Solar Power Development
Project Number 49339-001
Borrower / Company Jarcon Pty Ltd.
Sun Pacific Energy Limited
Country / Economy Samoa
Location
Type or Modality of Assistance
Loan Canadian Climate Fund for the Private Sector in Asia I USD 1.00 million Committed
3553 Loan Ordinary capital resources USD 2.00 million Committed
Strategic Agendas Environmentally sustainable growth
Inclusive economic growth
Drivers of Change Partnerships
Private sector development
Sector / Subsector

Energy / Renewable energy generation - solar
Gender Equity and Mainstreaming No gender elements
Responsible ADB Department Private Sector Operations Department
Responsible ADB Division Portfolio Management Division, PSOD
Responsible ADB Officer Ahmed, Salman
Project Sponsor(s) Jarcon Pty Ltd.
Description The financing of up to $3 million involves the 1.8 MW expansion of an existing 2.2MW solar farm that has been in operation since April 2015. The existing facility was completed in December 2015. The project sponsor has already invested about $3.5 million for the construction of the existing solar farm that has generated approximately $1.7 million in revenues since starting operations. An independent power producer, Sun Pacific Energy Limited, is the owner and operator of the plant. Prior to the expansion, the plant sold 3.5 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of solar power per year to EPC, the national utility company. The expansion was completed in May 2018 and has increased the project's the energy yield to 6.5 million kWh per year.
Objectives and Scope

The proposed project will help the country lower its dependence on fossil fuel and increase affordability of solar power generation. Although endowed with abundant solar resources, Samoa is heavily dependent on imported fuel. In 2012, 95 million liters of diesel was imported for power generation to meet the demand of a 98% electrification rate. Of a total nationwide installed capacity of approximately 42MW, over 30MW are diesel fueled.

Since 2010, the Government of Samoa has promoted private sector participation to increase renewable energy investment. The proposed financing will support the development of one of the IPPs currently operating in Samoa lowering the cost of production therefore increasing affordability of solar power generation.
Status of Operation/Construction ADB's finance agreements signed in August 2017, fully disbursed in September 2017. Project achieved COD on 31 May 2018.
Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy The proposed project loan will finance the 1.8MW expansion of an existing 2.2MW solar power station on Samoa's main island Upolo. The expansion of South Pacific Energy Limited's (SPEL) existing solar farm is consistent with the Mid-Term Review of Strategy 2020 as well as ADB's Pacific Approach, which is used as Samoa's country partnership strategy. It also supports two of the five core operational areas of ADB, infrastructure and environment. As highlighted in the Country Operation Business Plan 2017 2019 for Samoa, ADB's past support was centered on the energy sector and has helped the country improve electricity services as well as strengthen the resilience of renewable energy power generation against disasters caused by natural hazards. The project is also aligned with Samoa's Energy Sector Plan 2012 2016.
Safeguard Categories
Environment B
Involuntary Resettlement C
Indigenous Peoples C
Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects
Environmental Aspects The project is classified as category B for environment based on the impacts of the project. An environmental and social audit was conducted to assess the performance of the existing facility. The anticipated construction impacts are noise elevation and dust generation but will be short-term and localized during a six-month construction period. There are minimal environmental impacts during operations. Phase 1 operations utilize water from local community for cleaning. This was identified as one of the key items of the audit report, hence, as a corrective plan, it was enforced that SPEL build rainwater tanks to avoid water competition, especially in the dry season. All solar panels are designed with anti-glare to reduce impact to incoming aircraft; consultation with SAA revealed that the solar panels do not cause any nuisance to the pilots. All waste in Upolu is deposited at the Tafa'igata landfill on the outskirts of Apia (approximately 27km from project site) in accordance with regulatory requirements and domestic wastewater will be treated via a sewage treatment plant. A Decommissioning and Recycling Plan will be prepared by SPEL in consultation with the Ministry of Environment Waste Management Division for the solar panels and components disposal, a few years before the PPA conclusion, and will export wastes where necessary and practical.
Involuntary Resettlement No impact on involuntary resettlement. The Electric Power Corporation, Samoa's national power utility, will sub-lease the land to SPEL for the term of the concession. An audit of the existing facility found it did not cause any physical or economic displacement during construction and there are no outstanding issues. The land was previously unused in a secure complex within the international airport boundary.
Indigenous Peoples No impact on indigenous peoples. The population of Satapuala village, the nearest residential area, is 100% Samoan. Samoa's population is ethnically homogenous and no distinct or vulnerable group of indigenous people will be adversely or beneficially impacted by the project.
Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation Project stakeholders, including nearby community members, were provided with information and directly consulted as part of the required impact assessment. During the consultation, project details and activities, the potential impacts and proposed mitigation measures were disclosed and feedback was registered.
Timetable for assistance design, processing and implementation
Concept Clearance 19 Oct 2015
Credit Committee Meeting 21 Aug 2017
Approval 04 Aug 2017
Last PDS Update 22 Jul 2021

Project Data Sheets (PDS) contain summary information on the project or program. Because the PDS is a work in progress, some information may not be included in its initial version but will be added as it becomes available. Information about proposed projects is tentative and indicative.

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Title Document Type Document Date
Solar Power Development: Initial Poverty and Social Analysis Initial Poverty and Social Analysis Aug 2017
Solar Power Development Project: Report and Recommendation of the President Reports and Recommendations of the President Jul 2017

Safeguard Documents See also: Safeguards
Safeguard documents provided at the time of project/facility approval may also be found in the list of linked documents provided with the Report and Recommendation of the President.

Title Document Type Document Date
Solar Power Development Project: Initial Environmental Examination Initial Environmental Examination Aug 2017

Evaluation Documents See also: Independent Evaluation

None currently available.

Related Publications

None currently available.

The Access to Information Policy (AIP) establishes the disclosure requirements for documents and information ADB produces or requires to be produced in its operations to facilitate stakeholder participation in ADB's decision-making. For more information, refer to the Safeguard Policy Statement, Operations Manual F1, and Operations Manual L3.

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