Sengerema Hospital, located in the north-west of Tanzania, has been serving the community since 1959. Despite being a critical health facility for over 64,000 people in one of the poorest regions, it has long struggled with unreliable electricity supply from the national grid.
Project summary
The need
Although the hospital had diesel generators in place to provide backup power during outages or when the voltage from the national grid was unstable, this solution came with major drawbacks. The high cost of diesel made it unsustainable, and the unstable electricity often damaged sensitive medical equipment, reducing its lifespan and increasing the need for frequent repairs and replacements. These challenges disrupted healthcare services and placed a heavy financial burden on the hospital.
The solution
To overcome these challenges, a sustainable solar energy solution was implemented. The intervention included the installation of a 198kWp solar system supported by 480kWh of battery storage. This required refurbishing the existing electrical infrastructure and reinforcing some of the roofs to support the new system. The solution aimed to provide a consistent and reliable power supply, free from the limitations of the grid or diesel dependency.
Impact
The solar installation has transformed service delivery at Sengerema Hospital. Healthcare provision is now uninterrupted and independent of power outages or fluctuating voltage. Sensitive medical equipment is now better protected, reducing operational costs and ensuring longevity. Most importantly, the hospital can now provide timely and quality healthcare services powered by clean and sustainable energy, directly contributing to improved health outcomes and the advancement of Sustainable Development Goals 3, 6 and 7.
Impact story
Sengerema Hospital Now Solar Powered
“After the solar installation at Sengerema Hospital, there is a big change in electricity costs compared to before. Previously, we incurred huge expenses on electricity bills, which prevented the hospital’s growth, limiting our ability to expand services, buy more medicines, or employ more specialists. Now, we have a reliable power supply, patients fully enjoy the services, and we have reduced…”