Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Department of Port Administration (PAAS) is moving forward with an ambitious renewable energy project at Pago Pago International Airport that could become the largest solar power development ever built in American Samoa.

The proposed project combines a large-scale solar farm with a battery energy storage system and is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2027.

According to PAAS, the project will generate up to 25 megawatts of solar power, enough to significantly increase the territory's renewable energy capacity. It will also include a battery storage system capable of delivering 20 megawatts of electricity and storing 80 megawatt-hours of energy, allowing solar power generated during the day to be stored and used at night or during periods of cloudy weather.

Port Administration officials say the project is a key component of the airport's long-term development plans and will help create the infrastructure needed to support future economic growth.

"This project is about more than powering the airport and the new passenger terminal," said Port Administration Director Barney Sene. "It is about building the energy infrastructure needed to support the airport's future growth and development."

The renewable energy initiative is being developed through a public-private partnership with Eastern Power Solutions, which has agreed to finance the project. According to PAAS, the company has already secured all required federal and local regulatory approvals, including environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval, and authorization from the Project Notification and Review System (PNRS) Board.

Officials emphasized that the project will be privately financed and will not require funding from PAAS or local taxpayers.

SUPPORTING AIRPORT VISION 2030

The initial focus of the solar facility will be meeting the airport's energy needs, including the new passenger terminal and future developments envisioned under the Airport Vision 2030 master plan.

Those future developments include proposed hotels, a convention center, retail businesses, and other commercial projects intended to transform the airport area into a major transportation and economic hub.

Any electricity produced beyond the airport's needs would be supplied to the American Samoa Power Authority (ASPA), helping reduce the territory's dependence on imported fuel and potentially lowering electricity generation costs.

Officials believe the project could play an important role in strengthening American Samoa's energy security by diversifying power sources and reducing exposure to volatile fuel prices.

TRANSFORMING A FORMER SCRAP METAL SITE

The solar farm is planned for the approximately seven-acre site that once housed the Tafuna Village Scrap Metal Depository.

While the site has remained largely unused for years, previous environmental assessments identified contamination concerns. A federal Environmental Protection Agency review found elevated concentrations of several pollutants, including lead, copper, zinc, thallium, benzo(a)pyrene, and asbestos.

PAAS officials say those environmental conditions make the property unsuitable for many forms of development. However, because solar farms generally require minimal excavation and ground disturbance, the site is considered one of the most practical and beneficial uses for the land.

The American Samoa Environmental Protection Agency is working closely with PAAS throughout the planning process to ensure environmental concerns are properly addressed.

PROJECT DETAILS STILL BEING FINALIZED

Although major approvals have reportedly been secured, officials say planning and design work is continuing.

PAAS noted that detailed project specifications, construction timelines, and additional information regarding installation and operational phases will be released as development progresses.

If completed on schedule, the project would mark a major milestone in American Samoa's push toward greater use of renewable energy while providing a new source of electricity to support both airport operations and future economic development initiatives across the territory.