EPC generators breaking down well before 30 years lifespan

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, Samoa – 04 April 2025 – The Electric Power Corporations three major diesel generators that should still be supplying electricity now and prevented the current state of emergency driven by the electricity supply crisis, are nowhere halfway their expected 30 years lifespan.

The EPC Chief Executive Officer, Faumui Tauiliili Taimoana confirmed at the press conference that announced the State of Emergency on Monday this week, that the lifespan of the diesel generators was 30 years.

The three generators currently out of service, operated the Tanugamanono, Fiaga and Taelefaga power stations and were only 12 years in service as they were commissioned in 2013.

The cost of the power outages to Samoa’s economy stands at a whooping $400m plus an extra $15m of emergency funds to purchase new and leased diesel generators to address the current power supply crisis.

Sources said the warranty for these generators have probably long expired.

When Faumui was asked for an explanation why the generators which are supposed to last for 30 years are in such a state, he said “it’s a premature failure of the main components in the generators.”

He did not elaborate on what premature failure was and gave the causes of the power outages as due to the mechanical failure of the Fiaga Power Station that resulted in the loss of the primary generators that supply a substantial portion of Upolu, faulty underground transmission lines that supply power to key parts of the national grid and damage by recent severe weather.

He also said a diesel generator is no different from a car facing issues after operating for some time.

Sources explain that the maintenance of a generator is based on hourly usage and when it reaches 1000 watts or 6 to 12 months of its operation, it needs to be serviced where a generator goes through a complete overhaul.

When asked if they knew about the faulty equipment for some time and did not address it or inform the country, Faumui said the manufacturer where the generators were bought from have been notified about the problem and the country had been informed of the power rationing since 16 March 2025.

$1.4m for leased generators from overseas
Meanwhile, two leased generators from Fiji will arrive this weekend, 5 April which EPC expects to provide immediate relief to the crisis until the electricity supply is restored to its full potential.

These generators are leased at $1.4m for 6 months until the arrival and commissioning of permanent generators bought from the HNAC Company in China arrive in August.

The generators’ cost $10.7m and were brought after they were inspected by the heads of EPC National Control & Dispatching Centre, Generation and Quality Assurance and will produce 500,000 kilowatts which is equivalent to 5 megawatts and is said to be sufficient to power Samoa.

EPC under Forensic Audit investigation
EPC is one of the State Owned Enterprises under the Forensic Audit investigation conducted by BDO, New Zealand and a report was expected last October.

When asked where the investigation on EPC stands at the moment, the CEO for the Ministry of Finance, Saoleititi Maeva Betham-Vaai said the investigation is continuing and nothing has been finalised.