Tesla Assist with EPC Storage Batteries in Current Power Crisis

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, Samoa – 02 April 2025 – Engineers of Tesla Incorporated are currently assisting local Electric Power Corporation engineers alleviate some aspects in the current electricity crisis.

Telsa Inc. is the manufacturer of electric cars, solar panels and batteries for power storage and are working on a routine maintenance of their batteries charging stations in Samoa.

The company’s technical personnel timely presence during the electricity supply crisis for Upolu Island is being utilised by EPC to assist their engineers with the maintenance of all EPC batteries used to store electricity from the solar farms and fed to the national grid.

With limited power supply from the EPC’s working diesel generators, the power utility is sourcing power from their storage batteries at the solar farms supplied by Independent Power Providers (IPPs).

The solar plants include Tanugamanono, Fiaga, Tuanaimato, Salelologa and Faleolo that generate up to 6 megawatts stored at EPC batteries.

EPC has a new policy that now requires IPPs who want to do business in Samoa, to provide their own storage batteries.

At the announcement of the State of Emergency on Monday this week, EPC’s Chief Executive Officer, Faumui Tauiliili Taimoana referred to the risk of solar suppled electricity to the national supply system.

Faumui explained the risk is if the solar electricity supply generates a little over 4 megawatts, it results in the system dropping and triggers a power outage and poses dangers of power surges that damage sensitive electronic equipment.

He said EPC is resolving the problem through placing what he calls “an under-frequency over the feeder.”

EPC has several electric vehicles and a fleet of electric vehicles was donated to the Samoan government to transport VIP guests during CHOGM in October last year.

A few charging stations are also available including one at the Friendship Park, behind the Government Building in the middle of town.