EU, Enugu Govt to Spend N4.3bn on Solar Energy in Healthcare Centres

Gideon Arinze in Enugu

The European Union (EU) and Enugu State Government will spend N4.3bn on powering 25 health facilities across the state with solar microgrid energy systems.

The multi-billion-naira solar energy project, which is under the Nigeria Solar for Health Project (NISHP), is being funded by a N3.3billion grant from the European Union and a counterpart fund of N1billion from the Enugu State Government.

Speaking during the official launch of the project, Senior Stakeholder Engagement Manager for the NISHP, Tinyan Ogiehor, said it was intended to tackle the challenge of widespread lack of access to electricity which often impact healthcare delivery, particularly at the grassroots level.

He explained that Enugu was one of five states across Nigeria that are benefitting from the EU-funded project, adding that other benefitting states include Plateau, Ogun, Abia and Akwa Ibom.

He said: “The project will improve outcomes while also building a sustainable electricity infrastructure. 25 health facilities will be electrified in each state and in each health facility, five SMEs will also be electrified with the micro grid. There will be Telecom towers that will serve as anchor clients that will help to sustain the project because we want to keep the lights on sustainably”.

He explained the EU support will cover all capital expenditure, including battery storage, inverters, carbonates and containers to house them, cable and spare parts and also support in the training and capacity building of technicians.

“The state counterpart fund will be used to provide warehouse to house goods, retrofitting of project sites, repair of facilitate where the solar PV will be sited nomination, provision of logistics, awareness and security,” he added.  

In his address, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State said that launch of the project reflects the commitment of his administration to ensure that primary healthcare centres across the state have reliable, sustainable and uninterrupted powered supply with which to enhance quality of life for every citizen of the state.

Mbah, represented by the secretary to the state government, Chidiebere Onyia, said with the project, critical healthcare services will no longer be disrupted.

“Beyond powering healthcare centres across the state, the project will also contribute to reducing carbon emission and contributing to the global fight against climate change,” he said.

The event also witnessed the inauguration of the project steering committee in Enugu, yesterday, chaired by the commissioner for health, Dr. Emmanuel Ikechukwu.