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March increase in fuel surcharge due to global hikes

ASPA power plant
reporters@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The March fuel surcharge for the American Samoa Power Authority increased as fuel cost continues to spike globally. And if you’re a customer that spends a lot on electricity, you may have noticed the new increase, and some customers have already complained about the hike.

ASPA said early this month that the recent spike in fuel costs, also noticeable at the local gas stations, has increased the fuel surcharge portion of the March 2022 kWh system rate, since the most recent low in January 2021, by 39%. That equates to a 10-cent increase in the kWh rate.

Two gas stations visited by Samoa News in recent days confirmed fuel hikes.

ASPA reiterated previous statements that it continues to explore renewable energy options for American Samoa with wind turbine technology as well as solar photovoltaic panels (PV). 

These two renewable energy resources are the only proven technology that will fit within our islands landscape with the limited land and limited flowing water for hydro.

“Until then, we are at the mercy of global fuel market prices and the many challenges faced with shipping and higher costs of materials around the world,” said ASPA.

And the “current war in Ukraine will cause spikes in future fuel costs and will ultimately affect the cost of electricity.”