Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — There’s another decline in electricity cost for local residents and this was confirmed over the weekend with a notice issued by the American Samoa Power Authority regarding the April 2023 fuel surcharge.

The Fuel Surcharge Rate, according to ASPA, changes monthly due to fluctuating fuel costs in the world fuel market.

“The recent decrease in world diesel fuel prices has also meant a reduction in ASPA's electric rates,” said ASPA in the April 2023 fuel surcharge notification, which also states that since the recent spike in September 2022 of about $0.53562 per kWh (kilowatt hour), the April 2023 kWh rate stands at $0.40298 per kWh — which is a reduction. /

The fuel surcharge portion of the rate, that changes with the increase or decrease in cost of diesel, for April 2023 is $0.30558, compared to the recent September 2022 high of $0.43822. 

“This is a 43% DROP in the ‘fuel surcharge’ portion of the electric rate,” ASPA declared.

ASPA reiterated what it has said in the past months that the power authority 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 Power.

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

Furthermore, the impacts of the aftermath of the ongoing war in Ukraine will continue to cause volatility in future fuel costs around the world and will ultimately affect the cost of electricity in American Samoa.

Meanwhile, there’s another drop in gasoline prices at the local gas stations, with an average retail price of about $4.45 per gallon — according to a gas station attendants who spoke with Samoa News in the last two days.

“Its always good to see the drop in the cost of anything sold on island, especially for the fact that these are all imports,” said a 40-year old man, as he waited in line for gas at a west-side gas station yesterday morning.