Powering Palestinian Health Clinics with Clean, Reliable Solar Energy
In order to provide Palestinians with sustainable and reliable energy, UNICEF is installing and connecting solar panels to power 16 West Bank primary care centers.
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Palestinians are currently in the middle of a fuel shortage, with cars lining up to get gas at petrol stations when it is available.
UNICEF and its partners have completed laboratory testing and steel-structure approvals for all of the facilities, while infrastructural work, equipment installation, electrical connections, regulatory approvals, grid connection, commissioning, and training progressed at different stages.
“Installing the solar energy system is only the first step,” says Engineer Abdullah Odeh from Al Taysir International Construction Company, the contractor that is installing the new electrical system. “Training health workers to operate it safely and respond effectively to emergencies helps ensure a reliable source of power for the uninterrupted delivery of essential health services.”
The solar panels relieve these primary health clinics from depending on an instable electricity supply and using dirty and cost-prohibitive fuel-powered generators.
The project funded by GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, will allow fuel costs to be spent on other needed supplies and training. Vaccinations, which must be kept in a temperature-controlled environment, will be less likely to spoil during power outages. The localized solar panels will also help health providers maintain a consistent quality of care, even in emergencies.
Anabta, Zababdeh, and Tubas clinics have completed all of the stages to implementation, including installation, approvals, grid connection, commissioning, and training. Work on five other sites must be coordinated with renovation workers, but continues apace. The rest of the clinics are in various stages of installation of the solar panels and training staff to use it.
