Powering Healthcare Report

In Sierra Leone, darkness can mean the difference between life and death. A staggering 38% of healthcare facilities lack access to electricity, and even facilities with existing electricity connections, have frequent and prolonged power outages. This has detrimental effects on the quality of care they can provide, leading to surgeons operating using the light of their mobile phones, oxygen concentrators no longer able to provide life-saving oxygen for patients in critical care, and pregnant mothers delivering new life in the dark.

But in the midst of these challenges, a quiet revolution is underway to light up hospitals and community health centres across the country, illuminating the pathway to a brighter future where reliable power is the norm and not the exception. Easy Solar, a leading provider of solar and energy storage solutions, is not merely powering healthcare facilities across the nation; it’s igniting hope, one solar panel at a time. Since the launch of Easy Solar — Power Solutions in 2019 (which develops, installs and maintains large solar PV and battery storage systems), the team has powered over 20 healthcare centres across the country.

Easy Solar — Power Solutions’ healthcare journey began in 2020, with a groundbreaking project at Masanga Hospital, in the Tonkolili district of northern Sierra Leone. The team upgraded the facility’s capacity to a total installed solar capacity of 54kWp with 105kWh of lithium battery storage. Additionally, they provided ongoing operations and maintenance after installation. The initial success of this project paved the way for other collaborations with organisations such as USAID, UNICEF, and Doctors with Africa (CUAMM), among others, to electrify healthcare facilities across the nation. These range from small-scale 2kWp to 5kWp systems for remote community health centres (CHCs) to larger installations such as the 30kWp solar system for Holy Spirit Hospital.

Easy Solar’s impact extends far beyond the walls of healthcare facilities. By providing reliable energy, they are empowering communities, strengthening the healthcare system, and contributing to the country’s overall development. As the company continues to expand its reach, it intends to partner with the government and other stakeholders to ensure reliable electricity access and healthcare for all, aligned with the Ministry of Health’s 2030 agenda of sustainable energy in all healthcare facilities. With each solar panel installed, Easy Solar is not just illuminating hospitals and clinics; but a path toward a healthier, brighter future for all.