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American Samoa   American Samoa Profile

Territory Profile and Energy Estimates

Changes to the State Energy Data System (SEDS) Notice: In October 2023, we updated the way we calculate primary energy consumption of electricity generation from noncombustible renewable energy sources (solar, wind, hydroelectric, and geothermal). Visit our Changes to 1960—2022 conversion factor for renewable energy page to learn more.

Profile AnalysisPrint Territory Energy Profile
(overview, data, & analysis)

Last Updated: February 16, 2023

Overview

American Samoa depends on petroleum imports for almost all its energy needs.

American Samoa is part of the Samoan Islands chain in the Pacific Ocean, which includes both American Samoa and the independent nation of Samoa.1 American Samoa became a U.S. territory in 1900, but its five islands and two coral atolls are closer to New Zealand than Hawaii.2,3 It is the only U.S. territory in the southern hemisphere.4 The islands lie north of the Tonga Trench—the second-deepest oceanic trench in the world—and are mostly volcanic in origin. They are rugged, mountainous, heavily forested, and surrounded by coral reefs.5,6 Although American Samoa lacks fossil energy resources, it has solar, wind, and biomass resource potential. Some of the islands in the territory generate electricity from solar energy.7,8 However, the port at Pago Pago, one of the deepest natural harbors in the South Pacific, receives the imported petroleum products that meet the territory's energy needs.9,10

American Samoa has a total land area of about 76 square miles—slightly larger than Washington, DC. The territory consists of the adjacent islands of Tutuila and Aunu'u; the Manu'a group of Ta'u, Ofu, and Olosega; and two coral atolls—Swains Island and Rose Atoll. The capital and the deepwater port of Pago Pago are on Tutuila, the largest island in the territory.11,12 Unlike the people of all other U.S. territories, the people of American Samoa are not American citizens at birth. They are U.S. nationals. However, like all citizens and nationals in U.S. territories, they cannot vote in federal elections, but they can vote in presidential primaries.13,14 About 98% of American Samoa's population of nearly 50,000 people live on Tutuila.15 Following Polynesian tradition, extended families communally own about 90% of America Samoa's land.16 The territory has a tropical marine climate with little seasonal variation in temperature.17 A rainy season runs from November to April, but rain falls throughout the year and averages about 125 inches annually, although some areas receive as much as 300 inches of rain. The islands also experience occasional devastating tropical cyclones.18,19

In 2021, American Samoa's gross domestic product (GDP) on a per capita basis was about 22% that of the United States.20 The territory's largest private sector industry is tuna fishing and processing, and canned tuna is American Samoa's main export. However, economic competition, fish shortages, and other factors threaten the territory's tuna industry.21,22,23 Government is the territory's other major economic activity. Government agencies employ about two-fifths of the American Samoan labor force. Livestock and agricultural products are not export items but are raised for local consumption and include bananas, coconuts, vegetables, taro, breadfruit, yams, copra, pineapples, papayas, and dairy products.24,25

Tropical hurricanes, earthquakes, and other disasters have severely affected American Samoa and its economy. After the 2008 recession and a 2009 earthquake and tsunami, American Samoa's economy was aided, in part, by infusions of federal economic and disaster recovery assistance.26 In 2018, tropical cyclone Gita hit American Samoa. The territory's GDP rose in that year, in part because of an influx of aid and aid workers.27,28 However, that ended when American Samoa closed its borders to international travel in March 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. American Samoa did not have its first official COVID-19 case until September 2021, when flights from Hawaii resumed.29 The territory allowed cruise ships to return in 2023.30 Because the territory's economy centers on tuna fishing and canning, planners have made several suggestions to encourage economic diversification. Lack of affordable internet had limited development, but a trans-Pacific fiber optic cable connected the territory to the United States, Australia, and New Zealand in 2018. It provides American Samoa with expanded internet access needed for further economic development.31,32

Petroleum

American Samoa does not produce or refine crude oil and depends on imported petroleum products.33 Refined petroleum products, primarily diesel fuel used for electricity generation and marine transportation, arrive in tankers that unload at a terminal and tank farm adjacent to the main harbor at Pago Pago. The territory also imports jet fuel, used at American Samoa's one international airport, and motor gasoline, used by the territory's more than 9,600 vehicles.34,35 Before the 2009 earthquake and tsunami, American Samoa typically consumed about 4,100 barrels of petroleum per day. In 2011, the territory's petroleum consumption fell to about 2,300 barrels per day and remained fairly constant through 2020 even though the population declined. There was an increase in 2021 when consumption rose to 2,600 barrels.36,37 The decrease in petroleum consumption was, in part, due to the installation of more efficient diesel generators after 2009 as well as increased use of renewable resources for electricity generation.38,39

Electricity

Because it is an isolated island group, American Samoa must produce all the electricity it consumes. In 2021, the territory had more than 50 megawatts of total electricity generating capacity.40 Diesel generators supply most of American Samoa's electricity, nearly all of it on the main island, Tutuila.41 The American Samoa Power Authority (ASPA), a government corporation, owns and operates two generating plants on Tutuila that have about 45 megawatts of combined diesel-fueled capacity.42,43 Captured waste heat emitted by diesel generators at ASPA's power plants on Tutuila also produces electricity.44 In 2021, American Samoa also had about 5 megawatts of grid-connected solar powered capacity.45,46 Tutuila had 4.1 megawatts of solar photovoltaic ground-mounted capacity and 900 kilowatts of rooftop solar capacity.47 Other smaller islands in American Samoa use solar energy with some diesel fuel for generation.48 In addition to electricity, ASPA provides drinking water, solid waste removal, and wastewater treatment.49 Pumping, treating, distributing, and collecting water uses a significant share of the electricity ASPA generates.50

Per capita electricity sales in American Samoa are about three-tenths that of the United States.

The September 2009 magnitude 8.1 earthquake and resulting tsunami killed 34 people in American Samoa and severely impacted electricity generating capacity in the territory.51 Those natural disasters destroyed one power plant, which reduced the generating capacity on Tutuila by more than half.52 Leased generators burning ultra-low sulfur diesel temporarily replaced the high-sulfur diesel-fueled ones destroyed in 2009.53 The ultra-low sulfur diesel-fueled replacement generating units, which are 20% more efficient than the old units, came online in the spring of 2017. The damaged power plant was rebuilt on higher ground to avoid future floods and re-engineered to better resist earthquakes.54,55 The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provided funds to build underground power lines where they will be protected from high wind damage. However, because of cost constraints there are few buried power lines and most remain above ground.56,57

In 2021, per capita electricity sales to ultimate customers in American Samoa were about three-tenths that of the United States.58,59,60 Commercial users accounted for almost half of all power sales in the territory. The residential sector accounted for more than one-third of sales, and the industrial sector, which has only four customers, accounted for about one-sixth.61 Because of their geographic isolation, Pacific island nations have some of the highest electricity prices in the world.62 American Samoa's average electricity prices are typically about 3 times higher than the U.S. average.63 Electricity prices in American Samoa are closely linked to world diesel fuel prices.64 In 2020, decreases in diesel fuel prices, in part because of decreased global demand as a result of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, significantly reduced electricity prices in the territory. The fuel surcharge fell to about 16 cents per kilowatthour from its December 2019 amount of about 23 cents per kilowatthour. However, the surcharge rose in 2021 as world petroleum prices increased. The territory's fuel surcharge peaked at about 44 cents per kilowatthour in September 2022.65,66

Renewable energy

In 2021, solar power accounted for about 11% of American Samoa’s electricity generating capacity.

American Samoa is less than 1,000 miles south of the equator and has abundant solar energy resources. In 2021, solar power accounted for about 11% of American Samoa's electricity generating capacity and about 3% of its electricity generation.67,68 American Samoa is close to the equator and has substantial solar energy resources.69 In 2016, ASPA completed conversion from diesel-powered to solar photovoltaic (PV) electricity generation on the largest island in the Manu'a group, Ta'u. That conversion replaced the use of more than 100,000 gallons of diesel fuel per year. Ta'u has a hybrid solar and energy storage system that supplies 100% of the island's electricity.70 The 1.4-megawatt solar array has more than 5,000 panels coupled with a 6-megawatthour battery storage system.71,72 In 2017, solar energy provided 80% of the electricity used on the other two islands in the Manu'a group, Ofu and Olosega, from a 350-kilowatt solar PV array with 1-megawatthour of battery storage. The islands also installed three new fuel-efficient diesel generators.73 A fire at the solar power plant in Ofu forced the island back onto diesel power in 2019.74,75

Challenges to onshore wind energy development in American Samoa include tropical cyclones, community acceptance, and grid stability. American Samoa's communal land ownership structure poses potential hurdles for development of larger projects.76 However, an ASPA study identified some potential wind power sites around Tutuila and a hybrid wind and battery storage facility has been proposed.77,78,79 In 2022, federal legislation opened offshore waters around the U.S. territories, including American Samoa, to wind power development. The U.S. Department of the Interior will call for information and nominations for offshore wind leases within the exclusive economic zones of territorial waters by September 30, 2025.80

American Samoa's other alternative energy opportunities are limited. Although the island group may have geothermal resources related to its volcanic origins, assessments did not identify any commercial geothermal potential for electricity generation.81 The islands' landfills could supply some power. ASPA has requested bids to build a waste-to-energy plant at Tutuila's Futiga landfill that would cut waste in the landfill and provide electricity.82 Waste volumes at the landfill are near capacity even though a recent ASPA project that recompacted trash increased the landfill's capacity and extended the life of the landfill for up to 15 years.83 Captured waste heat emitted by diesel generators at ASPA's power plants on Tutuila also produces electricity.84

American Samoa encourages customer-sited, small-scale generation projects through net metering. A net metering law, adopted in 2008, allows owners of small solar or wind facilities, installed primarily for the consumer's use, to receive credit for surplus power sent to the grid.85 To reduce energy demand and improve energy efficiency, the government offers residential weatherization assistance to low-income households as well.86

In 2010, the American Samoa Renewable Energy Committee (ASREC) was established to coordinate efforts with federal experts. Its mission is to reduce the territory's reliance on petroleum, increase energy efficiency, and increase renewable energy use on the islands. In 2016, ASREC adopted a goal to meet 50% of American Samoa's energy needs from renewable resources by 2025 and 100% by 2040.87 ASREC developed strategies to assess and use American Samoa's renewable resources and considered ways to reduce petroleum use in land-based vehicles. 88,89,90

Coal

American Samoa has no known coal reserves and does not produce or consume coal.91

Natural gas

American Samoa has no known natural gas reserves and does not produce or consume natural gas.92

Endnotes

1 "Samoan Islands," The Library of Congress (September 2009).
2 U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of Insular Affairs, American Samoa, Political Status, accessed January 3, 2023.
3 Wendt, Albert, "American Samoa," Britannica, updated January 2, 2023.
4 Pacific Basin Development Council, 2021 U.S. Pacific Islands Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and State of Hawaii) (April 30, 2021), p. 11.
5 FreeWorldMaps.net, Tonga Trench Map, accessed January 3, 2023.
6 "Samoan Islands," The Library of Congress (September 2009).
7 U. S. Department of Energy, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Energy Transition Initiative, Islands, Energy Snapshot, American Samoa, DOE/GO-102015-4682 (June 2015), p. 2, 3.
8 Byrne, Kevin, "Solar energy powers an entire island in American Samoa thanks to Tesla, SolarCity," Accuweather (July 1, 2019).
9 Department of Port Administration, American Samoa Government, Port of Pago Pago, American Samoa, accessed January 4, 2023.
10 U. S. Department of Energy, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Energy Transition Initiative, Islands, Energy Snapshot, American Samoa, DOE/GO-102015-4682 (June 2015), p. 2.
11 Busche, Sarah, et al., American Samoa Initial Technical Assessment Report, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, NREL/TP-7A40-50905 (September 2011), p. 3.
12 U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, World Factbook, American Samoa, updated December 21, 2022.
13 Rubin, Jonathan, Can American Samoans Vote?, Slate (January 31, 2008).
14 U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of Insular Affairs, American Samoa, Political Status, accessed January 5, 2023.
15 U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Island Areas Censuses: American Samoa, Table 1, Population of American Samoa: 2010 and 2020 (October 28, 2021).
16 Busche, Sarah, et al., American Samoa Initial Technical Assessment Report, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, NREL/TP-7A40-50905 (September 2011), p. 4.
17 U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, World Factbook, American Samoa, Geography, updated October 2021.
18 Busche, Sarah, et al., American Samoa Initial Technical Assessment Report, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, NREL/TP-7A40-50905 (September 2011), p. 3.
19 National Park Service, National Park of American Samoa, Plan Your Visit, Weather, updated July 1, 2015.
20 The World Bank, GDP per capita (current US$), U.S. and American Samoa, 2021.
21 U.S. Government Accountability Office, American Samoa: Economic Trends, Status of the Tuna Canning Industry, and Stakeholders' Views on Minimum Wage Increases, GAO-20-467 (June 2020).
22 "Fish supply shortage continued challenge for StarKist Samoa," Radio New Zealand (March 21, 2018).
23 Taibbi, Mike, "Sea of obstacles imperil American Samoa's tuna industry," PBS Newshour (February 15, 2020).
24 U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, World Factbook, American Samoa, Geography, updated October 2021.
25 U.S. Census Bureau, Decennial Census of Island Areas, Selected Economic Characteristics, 2020: DECIA American Samoa Demographic Profile, Employment Status, Class of Worker.
26 American Samoa Department of Human Resources, National Emergency Grant American Samoa, From Tsunami to Renewal, Recovery, accessed January 14, 2023.
27 Sagapolutele, Fili, "Tropical Storm Gita has some significant effects on American Samoa's GDP and economic forecast," Samoa News (April 3, 2019).
28 U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, "American Samoa GDP Increases in 2018," Press Release (August 23, 2019).
29 Firozi, Paulina, and Brittany Shammas, "American Samoa, one of the last places without coronavirus, has first infection," Washington Post (September 19, 2021).
30 "American Samoa to welcome back cruise ships," Radio New Zealand (December 28, 2022).
31 Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act State Plan, American Samoa PYs 2020-2023, WIOA State Plan Common Elements, accessed January 14, 2023.
32 Qiu, Winston, "Hawaiki Cable System is Ready for Service," Submarine Cable Networks (July 20, 2018).
33 U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, The World Factbook, American Samoa, Energy, Petroleum, accessed January 15, 2023.
34 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, Final Fact Sheet, August 2019, American Samoa Terminal, p. 2, General Description of Facility.
35 American Samoa Department of Commerce, Statistics Division, American Samoa Statistical Yearbook 2018 & 2019, p. 166.
36 U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), International Energy Statistics, Petroleum and other liquids, Consumption, American Samoa, 1980-2021.
37 U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Island Areas Censuses: American Samoa, Table 1, Population of American Samoa: 2010 and 2020 (October 28, 2021).
38 Sagapolutele, Fili, "New Satala power plant dedicated," Samoa News (May 26, 2017).
39 Lin, Daniel, "How a Pacific Island Changed From Diesel to 100% Solar Power," National Geographic (February 23, 2017).
40 U.S. EIA, International, American Samoa, Electricity, Electricity capacity, Download, accessed January 16, 2023.
41 U.S. EIA, International, American Samoa, Electricity, Electricity generation, Download, accessed January 16, 2023.
42 U. S. Department of Energy, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Energy Transition Initiative, Islands, Energy Snapshot, American Samoa, DOE/GO-102015-4682 (June 2015), p. 2.
43 American Samoa Power Authority, Power Generation and T&D, accessed January 15, 2023.
44 U. S. Department of Energy, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Energy Transition Initiative, Islands, Energy Snapshot, American Samoa, DOE/GO-102015-4682 (June 2015), p. 3.
45 U. S. Department of Energy, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Energy Transition Initiative, American Samoa Energy Snapshot, DOE/GO-102020-5412 (June 2020).
46 U.S. EIA, International, American Samoa, Electricity, Electricity capacity, Download, accessed January 16, 2023.
47 American Samoa Power Authority, Request for Proposals (RFP), Independent Power Producers for Wind Power Generation, RFP NO. ASPA18.064.PG (September 10, 2018), p. 10.
48 National Governors Association, "American Samoa, Resilient and Renewable Energy" (November 5, 2019).
49 American Samoa Power Authority, About Us, accessed January 16, 2023.
50 Busche, Sarah, et al., American Samoa Initial Technical Assessment Report, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, NREL/TP-7A40-50905 (September 2011), p. 8.
51 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Centers for Environmental Information, "On This Day: 2009 Samoa Islands Tsunami" (September 29, 2019).
52 Busche, Sarah, et al., American Samoa Initial Technical Assessment Report, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, NREL/TP-7A40-50905 (September 2011), p. 12.
53 American Samoa Power Authority, Notice to the Public, Satala Power Plant TPGS Commissioning (June 2011).
54 Sagapolutele, Fili, "New Satala power plant dedicated," Samoa News (May 26, 2017).
55 WSP, Replacement of the Satala Power Plant, American Samoa, accessed January 16, 2023.
56 "ASPA project takes powerlines underground in Tuala-uta," Talanei (December 1, 2017).
57 American Samoa Power Authority, Request for Proposals from Independent Power Producers for Waste To Energy Power Plant (April 1, 2019), 2.2 Background on the American Samoa Power Authority, p. 16.
58 U.S. EIA, Electric Power Annual (2021), Tables 2.5, 12.5.
59 U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, DP05 ACS Demographic and Housing Estimates, United States, Total population 2021.
60 The World Bank, Population, total - American Samoa, 2021.
61 U.S. EIA, Electric Power Annual (2021), Table 12.5. American Samoa.
62 Samoa News, Pacific News Briefs, "Pacific Power Assoc. Gathers for 26th Annual Conference" (August 2, 2017).
63 U.S. EIA, Electric Power Annual (2021, 2022), Tables 2.10, 12.5.
64 Busche, Sarah, et al., American Samoa Initial Technical Assessment Report, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, NREL/TP-7A40-50905 (September 2011), p. 15.
65 American Samoa Power Authority, Billing Rates, 2019- 22.
66 Macrotrends, Crude Oil Prices, 70 Year Historical Chart, 2019-23.
67 U.S. EIA, International, American Samoa, Electricity, Electricity capacity, Download, accessed January 16, 2023.
68 U.S. EIA, International, American Samoa, Electricity, Electricity generation, Download, accessed January 16, 2023.
69 U. S. Department of Energy, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Energy Transition Initiative, Islands, Energy Snapshot, American Samoa, DOE/GO-102015-4682 (June 2015), p. 3.
70 Lin, Daniel, "How a Pacific Island Changed From Diesel to 100% Solar Power," Sun-Connect (January 3, 2017).
71 Curtis, Henry, "Achieving 100% Renewable Energy One Island at a Time," Ililani Media (November 24, 2016).
72 Lambert, Fred, "Tesla deploys new microgrid projects with Powerpacks in Samoa to help the islands go fossil fuel-free," Electrek (July 25, 2018).
73 Sagapolutele, Fili, "Ofu and Olesega [sic] islands now powered 80% by solar energy," Samoa News (May 5, 2017).
74 "Fire damages solar part of Ofu micro grid," Talanei (June 24, 2019).
75 "ASPA settles insurance claim for Ofu solar farm," Talanei (August 2, 2022).
76 Busche, Sarah, et al., American Samoa Initial Technical Assessment Report, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, NREL/TP-7A40-50905 (September 2011), p. 16, 28.
77 American Samoa Renewable Energy Committee and American Samoa Power Authority, Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan for American Samoa (July 2015), slide 18.
78 U.S. Department of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, WINDExchange, Wind Energy in American Samoa, accessed January 17, 2023.
79 "ASPA continues to voice support for proposed wind turbine farm," Samoa News (September 13, 2022).
80 Webster, Joseph, and Elina Carpen, "Does the IRA make US offshore wind the "next big thing?," Atlantic Council (October 25, 2022).
81 Ness, J. Erik, et al., American Samoa Energy Action Plan (September 2016), p. i.
82 American Samoa Power Authority, Request for Proposals ("RFP") from Independent Power Producers for Waste To Energy Power Plant RFP NO. ASPA19.007.SW (April 1, 2019).
83 Coleman, Alistair, "American Samoa gets 'prettier' landfill," BBC News (February 7, 2018).
84 U. S. Department of Energy, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Energy Transition Initiative, Islands, Energy Snapshot, American Samoa, DOE/GO-102015-4682 (June 2015), p. 3.
85 NC Clean Energy Technology Center, DSIRE, American Samoa Net Metering, updated May 12, 2016.
86 U. S. Department of Energy, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Energy Transition Initiative, Islands, Energy Snapshot, American Samoa, DOE/GO-102015-4682 (June 2015), p. 3.
87 Ness, J. Erik, et al., American Samoa Energy Action Plan (September 2016), p. i.
88 Haase, Scott, et al., American Samoa Energy Action Plan (August 2013).
89 Conrad, Misty Dawn, et al., American Samoa Energy Strategies (December 2013).
90 Ness, J. Erik, et al., American Samoa Energy Action Plan (September 2016), p. ii.
91 U.S. EIA, International Energy Statistics, American Samoa, Data, Coal and Coke, 1980-2021.
92 U.S. EIA, International Energy Statistics, American Samoa, Data, Natural Gas, 1980-2021.