Abu Dhabi: The Samoan Prime Minister, the Honourable Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi, on Friday inaugurated the country’s first wind farm. Delivered by Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company, the 550 kWe project is the second completed under the UAE’s $50 million (Dh183.5 million) Pacific Partnership Fund, which is managed by Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD). The inauguration ceremony comes two days before the start of the United Nations’ Third Conference on Small Island Developing States, in Samoa’s capital.
“This UAE supported project, and others like it underway across the Pacific, unlock significant economic and social benefits across the region. By providing local sources of renewable energy and reducing reliance on imported fuels, the UAE is helping countries like Samoa realise its development ambitions, while also delivering valuable clean energy infrastructure,” said Sultan Ahmad Al Jaber, UAE Minister of State and Chairman of Masdar.
“Renewable energy has the potential to be a major contributor to the energy mix in developing countries, acting as a catalyst for greater socioeconomic opportunity. Today’s inauguration reinforces the UAE’s commitment to advancing and deploying renewable energy globally.”
Located on the Samoan island of Upolu — home to nearly 75 per cent of the population – the wind farm will supply 1,500 MWh of power per year, delivering $475,000 in annual fuel cost savings. The innovative “cyclone proof” project will also reduce the island’s carbon footprint by more than 1,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) each year.
