The Shell Foundation and Odyssey Energy Solutions' Powering Health platform have selected five electricity providers for a pilot programme to electrify several healthcare facilities in sub-Saharan Africa. The companies will install solar photovoltaic systems in these facilities.
The companies were selected based on their experience in implementing solar PV electrification projects, their ability to complete the work within 3 to 10 months of receiving the funds, or their ability to obtain more than 50% of the funds needed to implement the project from other financial partners. The companies were selected via a tender launched on March 25th, 2021, as part of a pilot programme to test innovative financing mechanisms that can help expand the electrification of healthcare facilities in sub-Saharan Africa.
The programme is co-developed by the Shell Foundation and Odyssey Energy Solutions’ Powering Health platform. A total of five solar PV system providers will electrify health centres in four sub-Saharan African countries. In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Nuru will receive a performance-based grant to electrify four hospitals, as well as community health centres in Tadu and Faradje.
Electrification of 30 hospitals in Benin and Nigeria
In the DRC, Nuru has already built up a strong track record with its solar off-grid projects, notably in the city of Goma where hundreds of households are benefiting from its electricity network. The Shell Foundation programme also benefits Aress, known for its solar home systems that bring electricity to rural areas. The Cotonou-based company will install off-grid solar systems to provide electricity to 15 private hospitals in Benin.
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Two companies have been selected for Nigeria. Havenhill Synergy will generate solar power for 15 clinics in Oyo State, thanks to a guarantee from the pilot programme. US-based WindGen Power will provide clean energy to a peri-urban hospital in Bubwa, in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (Abuja).
UK government funding
In Mozambique, Zhyphen will provide electricity from a solar photovoltaic system to a private hospital in Niassa Province. “Initial data and insights will be shared with a small group of donors focusing on the link between energy and health later this year to improve efficiency in the sector, with a final post-project report expected in 2022,” says the Shell Foundation.
As part of the pilot programme to solarise healthcare facilities in sub-Saharan Africa, Odyssey will use its Powering Health platform to collect data throughout the project lifecycle to provide information on the technical performance and economic model of these projects. The programme is supported by the Rockefeller Foundation and co-funded by the UK government.
Jean Marie Takouleu
