6
Hospitals being electrified with solar PV
0.6
MWp of installed solar capacity
9 m
People served by the six electrified hospitals
Background
In Sierra Leone, a lack of affordable and reliable electricity access means that social services such as healthcare facilities are unable to power key equipment, leading to poor health outcomes and putting lives at risk.
Detailed energy audits at major hospitals in the country done by SEforALL helped us identify opportunities to replace unreliable, polluting diesel generator capacity with renewable energy solutions that can deliver reliable, clean power.
Building on this assessment, we are implementing the Sierra Leone Hospital Electrification Project, which will electrify six key hospitals in Freetown, Kambia, Masanga, Kabala and Bonthe, with a combined total of more than 0.6 megawatt-peak (MWp) of installed solar PV capacity with battery storage.
With installation of the power solutions scheduled for July-August 2023, quantitative impact results are expected by the end of 2023.
In line with our objective to enhance employment and career opportunities for women in the renewable energy sector, the project also provides direct support to a training programme for young women. A first cohort of twelve trainees will receive practical experience and classroom training on solar PV project implementation, including participating in the installation process at the targeted hospitals.
Project status
Impact
This project will showcase how hospitals can be equipped with renewable and reliable energy solutions in an accelerated time frame, bringing significant benefits to the delivery of health services and thereby leading to positive impact on health outcomes.
The significant reduction in diesel generator usage will lead to a large reduction in greenhouse gas and particulate emissions from diesel generators that currently power the health facilities, either as a back-up (for on-grid hospitals in Freetown) or as a primary power source (for off-grid hospitals in the other locations).
Partners
The project is supported by the United Kingdom's Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and is being implemented in close coordination with the Sierra Leonean Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS). SEforALL has hired Crown Agents (project management) and EM-One Solutions (EPC contractor) to carry out key aspects of the project.
