28 May 2026, Apia - The Government of Samoa has taken a key step to strengthen the nation’s transition toward a low-carbon and climate-resilient future.
This was in the form of an inception workshop for the technical assessment and development of a user pay system for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) Samoa EV Charging Station.
Hosted at SPREP’s Vailima headquarters on Tuesday 26 May, the workshop facilitated by the MNRE, Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) Pacific NDC Hub Phase 4, and consultancy firms, Bytewatchers Samoa and Telecommunications Regulator & Business Solutions Consulting, provided a platform for stakeholders to align on the project scope, methodology, deliverables, and implementation arrangements before the fieldwork begins.
“As you are aware, Samoa has set ambitious renewable energy targets and the advancement of electric mobility is an important part of achieving these goals,” said Ms Fefiloi Kerstin, Principal Climate Change Mitigation Officer, MNRE.
“We have already taken a significant step by establishing an Electric Vehicle charging station here in Apia, currently located at the Friendship Park, which is powered entirely by solar energy. However, the current system does not yet provide a sustainable model for cost recovery, monitoring or long-term expansion.”
The workshop provided a key step to develop a user-pay system, design a viable business model, strengthen cost recovery mechanisms and ensure that the infrastructure can operate sustainably into the future.
“Just as importantly, we aim to strengthen local capacity to manage and maintain this system effectively,” Ms Kerstin added. “This initiative is not just about charging electric vehicles. It is about creating a system that supports wider Electric Vehicle adoption, builds confidence in clean energy solutions and contributes meaningfully to Samoa’s renewable energy ambitions and deployment.”
Ms Toiata Uili, SPREP Technical Officer NDC Hub, said the workshop for Samoa is timely, aligning with the Manubada Call to Action, where Pacific leaders called for a shift from dialogue to implementation, focusing on real, tangible outcomes.
Pacific Leaders through the Tassiriki Call for a Fossil Fuel -Free Pacific have also reaffirmed the urgent need for a just transition away from fossil fuels toward renewable energy systems.
“Key to all this is that 1.5°C to stay alive is non-negotiable for the survival of Pacific people,” said Ms Uili.
"Colleagues, our work today directly responds to those regional calls because it delivers implementation on the ground, not just strategy, it supports integration of energy and transport through EV systems, it introduces innovative financing through a user-pay model and it is firmly anchored in country ownership and national priorities and leadership.”
SPREP reaffirmed its strong commitment to supporting Samoa and the Pacific region. Ms Uili also acknowledged SPREP’s valued partners for this work, including the Global Green Growth Institute Institute), NDC Partnership, SPC (Pacific Community), the Government of Australia through Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) and Bytewatchers Samoa and Telecommunications Regulator & Business Solutions Consulting.
“This support enables us to respond to country-driven requests such as Samoa’s, in delivering on commitments under the Paris Agreement.”