Russian rockets and shells are ruthlessly destroying the energy system of Ukraine. Power plants and substations have been destroyed or damaged throughout the country. Installing solar panels with batteries on the roofs of healthcare facilities can solve the problem of power disruption supply and increase the share of renewables in the energy mix.
The Association of Solar Energy of Ukraine - the largest non-profit NGO in the field of solar energy in the country, has launched the project "Solar Power Saving Lives". The initial focus of the project is on hospitals, which are the most vulnerable to power outages. The Association has signed a Memorandum of Agreement for the implementation of this idea with the largest children's hospital in Ukraine, "Ohmatdyt".
The project will be scaled up and implemented in four stages:
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A pilot project funded via grants to help Ohmatdyt Children's Hospital become energy independent by installing autonomous rooftop solar power units with batteries.
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Building on the experience gained in Stage I, we will expand the project to approximately 10 public and private hospitals in the Kyiv region with the support of local councils and the Kyiv Regional Council, loans, grants, and private funds.
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Scaling the project to other hospitals across the country with the support of local and regional councils of people's deputies according to the location of each hospital, as well as loan, grant and private funds.
On the energy front, the Association of Solar Energy of Ukraine strives to protect the most vulnerable civilian infrastructure by all means. Recent events highlight how urgent this project is. We are sure that the energy of the sun can save the most precious value - life!
Comments of Vladimir Zhovnir
General Director of Ohmatdyt Hospital Ohmatdyt National Specialized Children's Hospital faced the problem of a lack of power due to massive rocket attacks. Despite the outage, doctors continue to operate on children in operating rooms with minimal light. The work does not stop for a minute, because the lives of our little patients depend on it. Participation in the project "Solar power saving lives" will allow our hospital not only to become energy independent, but also to save more children's lives.