Clean Energy Powers Sustainable, Reliable, and Climate Resilient Healthcare for Savai‘i Communities

Savai’i, Samoa, 16 April 2026 – The Ministry of Health in Samoa, together with UNICEF and the Government of Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), marked the official handover of a solar electrification system at Satupaitea Healthcare Facility today. The new system will strengthen access to reliable and climate-resilient healthcare services for communities across Savai‘i.

“The rollout of solar electrification in Savai‘i’s rural district hospitals are timely, reinforcing our health system with sustainable energy solutions that directly benefit our communities," said the Associate Minister of Health, Hon. Afioga Motuopua’a Seve Henney Afereti Papalii. "This initiative will significantly improve the reliability of essential services at the district level, ensuring uninterrupted power for critical equipment, enhancing patient care, and strengthening the capacity of our rural hospitals to respond effectively to community health needs.”

The handover forms part of a broader initiative supporting the solarization of four clinics across Savai‘i, helping ensure essential healthcare services can continue even during power disruptions caused by cyclones, and other extreme weather events, or because of unreliable electricity supply.

For many years, rural and remote healthcare facilities in Savai‘i have faced challenges with frequent power outages, affecting their ability to safely store vaccines, operate medical equipment, provide emergency care at night, as well as deliver continuous services for mothers, newborns, children, and patients with chronic illnesses.

“By harnessing the power of the sun, this project helps to strengthen energy security in Samoa’s health sector and accelerate the transition to renewable energy,”said Deputy High Commissioner of Australia to Samoa, Simon Dawkins. “At a time of uncertainty about international energy supply, this project builds community resilience in Savai’i.”           

With the installation of solar power systems, healthcare facilities are now better equipped to provide round‑the‑clock care. This includes supporting maternal and newborn services, immunization, child health services, emergency care and treatment for non‑communicable diseases.

The solar system installed at these four healthcare facilities is expected to benefit around 31,000 people - nearly 70 per cent of Savai‘i’s population - by strengthening access to reliable primary healthcare.

“When a clinic has reliable power, it means a mother can give birth safely at night, vaccines can be stored at safe temperatures, and healthcare workers can look after patients without fear of power cuts,” said UNICEF Pacific’s Deputy Representative, Roshni Basu. “This is about dignity, safety, and making sure communities can rely on care when it matters most. We are deeply grateful to DFAT and the leadership of the Ministry of Health in strengthening healthcare services.”

Beyond improving healthcare delivery, solar power also helps reduce operating costs, strengthens resilience to climate shocks, and supports cleaner, more sustainable services for communities. Reliable electricity further enables clinics to keep records, track diseases, connect with specialists, and report cases more effectively.

This project has been funded by DFAT, with technical support from UNICEF. UNICEF is supporting the solarization of healthcare facilities in over 80 countries worldwide, including across the Pacific in Fiji, Kiribati, Samoa, Solomon Islands, and Tuvalu, helping communities continue to receive care even in challenging conditions.

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