Major power blackout affected a third of Upolu Island

By Talaia Mika

APIA, SAMOA – 02 AUGUST 2022: A major power outage that left a third of Upolu Island in the dark for an hour last night also forced the celebration of the 60 years of the Treaty of Friendship at Robert Louis Stevenson’s Museum, Vailima to finish early.

The electricity supply was interrupted at around 10.15pm last night and was restored for some areas such as Apia, at 11.07pm.

Affected areas included villages along the South Coast- Siumu towards Lefaga; Alaoa Feeder- Saanapu to Tanugamanono; Beach Road- Papauta to Matafele and towards Matautu-Tai; and in the East Coast- Magiagi-Uta to Vaiala-Tai and all the way to Vailele.

About an hour after the power was restored, the Electric Power Corporation posted on Facebook that the cause of the power outage was due to affected power lines.

EPC did not inform whether electricity had been restored for all affected areas in Upolu and this was the last update since last night.

“We apologise to all affected areas identified on the maps below for the unexpected temporary loss of electricity supply today due to affected power lines.”

“Our teams are working to restore the power supplies.”

Attempts to get a comment from the EPC Chief Executive Officer, Faumui Tauiliili Toimoana were unsuccessful.