🔌+ 🏥 REA Deploys 150KWp Capacity of Renewable Energy to 3 Hospitals in the FCT, 5000KWp to 100 Healthcare Institutions Nationwide:
On Thursday, 27th of June 2024, the REA officially handed over 150KWp solar hybrid containerized systems, 50KWp each to Asokoro, Karu, & Zuba General Hospitals in the FCT. These interventions have been delivered under the Nigeria Electrification Project(NEP).
Over the years, through its broad-based engagements with frontline institutions in the healthcare and energy access ecosystems as well as the invaluable support from the World Bank, the Agency has committed to alleviating energy poverty in the healthcare sector using renewable energy technologies, as access to electricity remains a fundamental necessity and a lifeline that powers life-saving equipment, enables effective healthcare services, and supports the well-being of patients and healthcare workers alike.
Sadly, many healthcare facilities in Nigeria face significant electricity challenges, hindering their ability to provide quality healthcare services. The REA's Energizing Healthcare initiative continues to mitigate energy access-related problems being faced by hospitals and healthcare centres in Nigeria.
The delivery of the 150KwP in the Federal Capital Territory and the delivery of total capacity of 5,000KWp to 100 healthcare institutions nationwide marks a significant step in the Agency's journey to electrify the health sector, ensuring uninterrupted power supply in hospitals and primary healthcare centers. These solar hybrid systems are powering critical loads such as laboratories, refrigerators for storage of cold chain medications and ventilators, while enhancing patient care, creating an enabling environment for dedicated healthcare workers who serve these healthcare institutions across the nation.
While speaking to the transformative impact of the REA's Energizing Healthcare healthcare initiative at the official hand over of the facilities in the Federal Capital Territory, Olufemi Akinyelure, the Head Project Management Unit, Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP) explained that all of the 100 containerized renewable energy systems deployed nationwide are fully operational and are being fully optimized by the beneficiary health facilities, aiding quality healthcare services, powering critical loads in these health facilities, and improving a better working environment for medical personnel.
Olufemi added that as the REA lights up these hospitals, "we are not just powering buildings - we are powering lives, healthcare, and hope. This intervention is a testament to our commitment to ensuring that no Nigerian is left in the dark, and that our healthcare system is resilient, reliable, and future-ready".
Over the last one year, the Agency has continued to receive feedback from frontline stakeholders and healthcare personnel nationwide from beneficiary healthcare institutions under the Energizing Healthcare initiative. Elsie Njemanze, Director of Nursing, Federal University Teaching Hospital, Owerri explained that since the institution was energized with the 50KWp containerized solar system, "it has been goodbye to power cuts. We have had uninterrupted power and that has made our work whole lot easier".
While recounting his experience at the Gombe Specialist Hospital, Dr. Garba Muhammad Bua said that "due to the lack of power supply, we used to record high mortality rate, especially amongst women and children. However, since the renewable energy intervention was activated at the specialist hospital, mortality records have dropped".
Prof. Efunsile Michael, HOD, Medical Microbiology at the Alex Ekueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki explained that the renewable energy intervention "has virtually solved the problem of electricity in the hospital's laboratory".
Since it's activation in 2019, the Federal Government has optimized the Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP) to deliver clean, safe and sustainable energy across the nation, impacting over 7.8 million Nigerians in last-mile communities while alleviating energy poverty amongst community members, in homes and medical institutions as the REA continues to harness the power of sustainable energy for socio-economic development.