Eco-solutions: two medical institutions in Chernihiv region embrace hybrid solar power plants for energy independence
Two medical institutions in the Chernihiv region have installed hybrid solar power plants. The Koriukivka Central District Hospital and the Kozelets Intensive Care Hospital have become the sixth and seventh hospitals, respectively, to take a confident step towards energy independence.
The Energy Act for Ukraine Foundation reported that.
What is the problem?
During the nearly three years of war, Ukraine's energy system has been severely damaged. Roughly 50% of the energy infrastructure has been destroyed or harmed. In the summer of 2024, several cities experienced 12-hour power outages, sometimes even longer. This has had a particularly devastating impact on crucial social and infrastructure institutions, such as hospitals. Despite constant shelling and blackouts, medical care must be continuously provided, and essential equipment must function without interruption.
The Chernihiv region also found itself in this situation. For over a month in February and March of 2022, two-thirds of communities in the region were occupied by the Russian army. As a result of Russian aggression, over 12,000 facilities were destroyed or damaged, and the region continues to experience ongoing shelling and missile strikes. Currently, the communities are working to recover, rebuild, and implement renewable energy solutions for necessary social and critical infrastructure.
What is the solution?
The Ukrainian charity Energy Act for Ukraine Foundation is carrying out the "50 Solar Hospitals" initiative, which involves installing solar power stations at medical facilities across Ukraine. In 2024, in partnership with the French NGO Electriciens sans frontières, they installed hybrid solar power stations at two medical institutions in the Chernihiv region.
The Koriukivka Central District Hospital and the Kozelets Intensive Care Hospital became the sixth and seventh hospitals within the "50 Solar Hospitals" project that took a confident step towards energy independence.
How does it work?
A hospital in Koriukivka has recently installed 60 solar panels on its roof, giving it a total capacity of 26.1 kW. The hospital also has energy storage systems (batteries) with a capacity of 61 kWh, providing up to 4 hours of autonomous operation during power outages. This hybrid solar station not only serves as a backup during emergencies but will also save the hospital an estimated 5,000 euros annually on electricity costs. Furthermore, over the course of its 25-year lifespan, the station will help reduce CO2 emissions by 366 tons, making it an essential contributor to environmental efforts.
Furthermore, a hybrid solar power station was commissioned at the Kozelets Hospital of Intensive Care in December by the Kozelets Village Council. It consists of 58 photovoltaic modules, generating 25.2 kW, along with an inverter and a 61 kWh battery. This solar power station is expected to save the facility over 5 thousand euros annually, provide up to 4.5 hours of electricity during power outages, and decrease CO2 emissions by 360 tons within 25 years.
"Chernihiv region is a special region for our foundation. Over the past three years, we have built solar power stations in seven hospitals, four of which are in this region. Chernihiv region courageously withstood the occupation in 2022 and is now actively recovering, rebuilding, and developing. All these trials have not broken but only tempered the brave and indomitable people who live and work here. We must support communities in this region in implementing renewable energy solutions, helping them become more energy-independent, modern, and environmentally friendly, providing important knowledge, and implementing technological solutions. After all, this is where the future lies, and it will definitely be sunny in the Chernihiv region," Yuliana Onishchuk, director and founder of the Energy Act for Ukraine Foundation, said.
"Faced with Russian shelling targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure, installing solar power plants in every school, every hospital, every pumping station will help keep the lights on and strengthen Ukraine's energy resilience!" Hervé Gouyet, president of the French NGO Electriciens sans frontiers, said.
Both plants will allow hospitals to operate even during a power outage, ensuring the stable operation of critical institutions for Ukrainians.
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