The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a US$300,000 grant to help establish a power development plan for Samoa's Savai'i island. Savai'i lags behind Samoa's main island, Upolu, in living standards and private sector development.
The Samoan Government had asked the ADB to consider a project to develop the hydro power potential of the Sili river basin, to provide reliable power and reduce imported fuel costs. The project will recommend development strategies and carry out a feasibility study for a small-scale hydro project. The report is expected to be complete by September 2003.