Nigeria
Empowering clinics, improving health services
Tackling serious challenges of health centers
Across Nigeria roughly 40% of primary health centres (PHCs) lack electricity.¹ Those with grid connections typically get only 2-8 hours of power daily and often rely on costly, polluting fossil fuel generators. Without reliable electricity, facilities rely on the use of candles, kerosene lanterns, and torches for deliveries, postpartum care, and outpatient first aid, essential equipment cannot be run, and phones are frequently off and staff unreachable in emergencies. Vaccines are stored offsite or kept on ice to avoid spoilage.
Ensuring reliable, sustainable energy access through solar generators
To address this, A2EI, Nigerian solar distributor Chromevolt,² and the Health Electrification and Telecommunications Alliance (HETA) partnered to electrify 75 Nigerian PHCs, with installations verified and systems monitored and analysed via our data platform Prospect.
The 75 health centers were selected after in-depth consultations with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency of Nigeria and local authorities. Solar generators customized by A2EI – a large, standalone solar system including three 400Wp highly efficient PV modules, one 2 KVA hybrid inverter, and two 100Ah lead-carbon batteries optimized for lifetime and recyclability – were installed at each of the facilities.
To ensure the long-term sustainability of the solar generators, Chromevolt’s certified installation technicians carry out on-the-spot training of PHC personnel on their use. Furthermore, they provide complimentary 5-year maintenance of all components.
With reliable 24/7 power supply, the facilities are now able to run a range of medical appliances – including vaccination and medication fridges, electric microscopes, procedure lights, centrifuges, fetal heart monitors, oxygen concentrators, portable ultrasounds, and suction apparatuses. Furthermore, they can run ceiling fans, interior and exterior lighting, USB modems, laptops, printers, and mobile phones.
All systems are being monitored remotely. Prospect conducts the automatic collection, aggregation, verification, and analysis of energy, consumption, and maintenance data in near real time. Prospect’s data feed allows for precise reporting, continuous performance tracking, and data‑driven recommendations to optimize systems for individual clinics. The A2EI is putting its data scientists at the project’s disposal to ensure impact measurement, precise reporting, and data-based future recommendations for the healthcare sector.
Creating solid impact for people and planet
The initiative creates real impact for the people who need it most: Mothers can now deliver their newborns in well-lit and fan-cooled facilities. Ultrasounds can be used for prenatal care and newborns can be properly taken care of. Vaccination campaigns can be run more efficiently, and the detection of diseases is sped up using electric lab equipment. Medical research and diagnostic cooperation opportunities are profoundly improved by Internet connectivity and the ability to charge laptops – and the use of electronic health, logistics, and financial information systems are made possible.
PHCs that previously depended on fuel generators report having more time and resources available for patients as there is no need to worry about the immense costs and hassle of fuel procurement and maintenance of fuel generators. The facilities are less noisy and not polluted by generator fumes.
Across Sub-Saharan Africa, more than 70,000 health centers still have an unreliable electrical supply, with ca. 25,000 healthcare facilities lacking any energy access.³ In the future, we need to provide innovative solutions to tackle this challenge, including robust, reliable solar generators optimized for the conditions on the ground, smart connectivity solutions, adequate funding, and comprehensive monitoring and analysis of systems to allow for data-based decisions. This way, we can mitigate climate change and contribute to the global energy transition – while saving lives on the ground.
