In the Nizhyn city maternity hospital, a solar power plant with a capacity of 80 kW was installed. The equipment works together with batteries that store electricity. This will ensure greater energy security of the institution and allow patients to receive medical services regardless of emergency or planned power outages.

The cost of a solar power plant is more than 4.3 million hryvnia. The project was implemented by the Yellowblue Force Foundation with the support of the Ministry of Health of здоровʼя of Ukraine, in cooperation with the NGO “Ecoclub” with the financial support of the Pfizer Foundation (implemented in cooperation with the Leleka Foundation).

“From the first days of a full-scale war, the enemy has been deliberately attacking Ukrainian energy infrastructure and shelling civilian objects, including hospitals. This jeopardizes the full operation of the medical system. Therefore, together with our partners, we are working to ensure that patients can receive all the necessary medical care smoothly and in full even under critical conditions. Thanks to the development of modern technologies, we are able to strengthen our energy security by installing solar stations. We are grateful to our partners for their cooperation and support. This will help ensure that our patients have access to medical services regardless of the circumstances and actions of the Russian invaders”.
Viktor Lyashko, Minister of Health of Ukraine.

Given the conditions of daily shelling and attacks by Russia on the energy system of Ukraine, ensuring the stable operation of medical institutions during emergencies is one of the priorities of the Ministry of Health. Therefore, the Ministry of Health together with partners actively equip hospitals, clinics and outpatient clinics in different parts of the country with solar panels and provide generators. And the arrangement of hospitals with solar power plants for full-fledged work, even under critical conditions, will continue in the future.

“We understand that supporting communities” transition to building their own energy independence and energy security is not just relevant now, it’s super important, especially given the mounting blows to critical infrastructure and possible blackouts”.
Julia Danishchuk, Head of the “Light for Hospitals” program at the Yellowblue Force Foundation.

Every year, about 900 babies are born in a medical institution and more than two thousand operations are performed. Stable power supply is important for the preservation of life and health of patients.

“If babies are born weighing less than 500 grams, they need a long stay on the ventilator. These devices should work smoothly. An alternative source of electricity established for the maternity hospital – a solar power plant – will help in this”.
Valery Yakuba, General Director of KNP “Nizhyn City Maternity Hospital.”

Now Ukrainian hospitals are provided with more than 11 thousand generators for uninterrupted power supply. Already more than 70 Ukrainian healthcare institutions have solar stations with panels. They are established at the expense of various programs, charitable foundations, governments of other countries, etc. In general, by the end of the year, it is planned to equip 200 health care institutions with solar stations.

It should be noted that the installation of solar power equipment will allow not only to use solar energy as a power source, but also to accumulate it. In addition, it will significantly save energy costs and direct these funds to other needs of medical institutions.

In particular, according to the amendments to  the Law of Ukraine on the restoration and green transformation of the energy system of Ukraine, medical institutions will be able to implement the mechanism of an active consumer of electricity.

Usually hospitals produce electricity for their own needs. However, now in the hours when more electricity will be generated than consumed, its excess can be sold to the network. According to approximate estimates, this will enable hospitals to save about 5-10% of funds.

The Ministry expresses its gratitude to all partners for their help and effective cooperation. Despite the difficult time, together we make Ukraine strong and modern.