A landmark initiative led by Sustainable Electricity for All (SEforALL) has fundamentally transformed healthcare delivery in Sierra Leone, equipping six critical hospitals with reliable, clean electricity. Completed in early 2024 with funding from the UK government, the project installed robust solar power and battery storage systems, marking a pivotal step away from the life-threatening reality of unreliable power.
Ensuring Uninterrupted Critical Care with Life-Saving Solar Installations Power Hospitals Across Sierra Leone
The first phase of the “Powering Sierra Leone’s Hospitals Programme” has provided a stable energy supply to facilities that serve over 8.5 million people, with a particular focus on women and children. The installations at Ola During Children’s Hospital (ODCH), Princess Christian Maternity Hospital (PCMH), Masanga Hospital, and the government hospitals in Kambia, Kabala, and Bonthe now guarantee continuous power for essential services, including maternity wards, children’s units, and operating theatres.
This newfound energy security drastically reduces reliance on noisy, polluting, and expensive diesel generators. Ngozi Beckley-Lines, SEforALL’s Sierra Leone Country Manager, highlighted the immediate impact. “This implies that communities can now start to anticipate significantly better service delivery and 24/7 essential medical care in these institutions. We are very happy that we are saving lives together,” she stated, emphasizing the project’s core mission.
Tackling a National Health Crisis with Life-Saving Solar Installations Power Hospitals Across Sierra Leone
The project directly confronts a severe challenge in Sierra Leone, where a recent analysis showed 38% of health facilities operate without any access to electricity. This energy poverty contributes to tragically high mortality rates for newborns, children, and mothers. By installing a total capacity of 0.62 megawatt-peak, the initiative offers a sustainable solution that improves patient outcomes and boosts staff morale.
The successful collaboration between SEforALL, Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health, Crown Agents, and EM-ONE Energy Solutions Canada demonstrates a powerful model for public-private partnership. Dr. Austin Demby, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Health, celebrated the achievement, noting, “We will undoubtedly make great progress towards achieving universal access and a gradual transition to clean and sustainable energy with such strong partnerships, investments, and government policies and regulations.”
A Blueprint for the Future: Life-Saving Solar Installations Power Hospitals Across Sierra Leone
This initiative is part of a larger vision for a resilient and sustainable healthcare system. With Phase 1 complete, the program is already expanding to install solar power at an additional hospital and 25 Community Health Centers nationwide. The project also serves as a global model, addressing the fact that, according to a 2023 report from the WHO, SEforALL, and IRENA, nearly one billion people are served by healthcare facilities with unreliable or non-existent electricity.
Beyond the technology, the project is investing in local talent. A dedicated ‘Women in STEM’ programme is providing twelve young women with hands-on training in project planning and the execution of solar panels systems, empowering them to become leaders in the country’s growing renewable energy sector. By aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goal 7, this project not only saves lives today but also builds a brighter, cleaner, and healthier future for Sierra Leone.
Sources
- November 18, 2024 – Ministry of Health – (MOH) Sierra Leone
- Monitoring renewable energy solutions for improved health service …
- Annual Report 2024 – WeCareSolar.org
- In Sierra Leone, A New Solar Installation Powers Expert Medical Care
- High-level delegation visits EM-ONE’s mini-grids in Sierra Leone
- AIRS Project Providing Medical Oxygen and Stable Electricity to Africa
- PROVIDING CLEAN POWER TO HEALTH FACILITIES IN SIERRA …
- Powering Sierra Leone’s Hospitals Programme
- Are we on the path to sustainable health electrification? Lessons …
