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Apia, Samoa – July 2, 2024 — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Samoa today signed a $100 million grant agreement to finance the Alaaoa Multipurpose Dam Project. The grant comes from ADB’s Asian Development Fund (ADF), which provides grants to ADB’s poorest and most vulnerable countries.
The Ireland Small Island Developing States Climate Change and Disaster Resilience Building Trust Fund will contribute $400,000 and the Government of Samoa will provide more than $11 million for the project.
Through ADB-supported projects, the grant will provide funding for addressing climate adaptation challenges such as flood risk management, sustainable and reliable water supply, and renewable energy security.
Samoa’s Finance Minister Lautimuia Uelese Vaai and ADB’s Pacific Sub-regional Director Aaron Batten signed the grant agreement at an event in Apia.
“The Samoan Government is pleased to be working with the Asian Development Bank to support Samoa’s renewable energy, climate adaptation and flood prevention objectives through this project, with financial support from the Ireland Small Island Developing States Climate Change and Disaster Resilience Building Trust Fund,” Minister Vai said.
“This transformational project will directly benefit the people in the project areas.”
“ADB appreciates working with the Samoan government in preparing this project. We conducted extensive assessments and technical analysis to ensure that the infrastructure design will take into account strong climate and disaster resilience,” said Mr. Barton. “Close consultation with relevant stakeholders was critical in developing a project of this magnitude and far-reaching impact.”
The Araoa Multipurpose Dam Project will support the construction of a multipurpose dam to reduce flood risk in Apia, provide a reliable and sustainable water source, and support flood risk management systems, capacity building, and biodiversity conservation and management. A run-of-river small hydropower plant will also help reduce Samoa’s reliance on imported fossil fuels for electricity generation.
The project establishes an innovative Biodiversity Offset Trust Fund. This will ensure there is no net loss of biodiversity in Samoa’s natural environment. The fund will also ensure sustainable financing for biodiversity conservation and enhancement after project completion.
To ensure the safety of the dam, ADB hired an independent team of experts to conduct an additional, rigorous technical review of the project.
Close consultation with stakeholders including affected villages, government agencies, civil society organizations and non-governmental organizations was an integral part of the project preparation. In addition to the pandemic period, about 60 extensive consultations and meetings were held during the five-year project preparation period.
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