Health care is a human right – Energy makes it possible
17 September is World Patient Safety Day, a global call for global solidarity and concerted action by all countries and international partners to improve patient safety.
Clean, reliable energy is a key to solving many of the growing challenges faced by humanity. One of these challenges is access to quality healthcare, which continues to be hindered by energy poverty in many parts of the world. Without electricity, health centers cannot operate essential equipment or provide safe, dignified care.
Through our Climate Fund, we regularly support renewable energy projects that significantly improve healthcare services in underserved communities. Here are some brief examples of recent grants to ensure reliable and affordable energy access in hospitals and health centres. Check out the map on our Climate Fund page and our Climate Stories leaflets for more information.
Reliable solar power for health clinics in northern Uganda
In Northern Uganda, EKOenergy granted €55,938 to Green Empowerment, Medical Teams International, and Power Trust Uganda Limited to install solar energy systems at the Palorinya and Ayilo I Health Centers. These facilities serve over 33,000 people annually, including refugees.
Before the intervention, both health centers relied on diesel generators that were expensive, noisy, and unreliable. Electricity shortages limited the use of life-saving equipment, and poor lighting made it difficult to provide care after dark. The new solar systems—each with 7 kW of capacity and 20 kWh of battery storage—now supply consistent, clean energy around the clock.
With the new systems, essential medical devices such as oxygen concentrators and refrigerators for vaccines and lab reagents now function reliably. Indoor and outdoor lighting has greatly improved working conditions and emergency response, and staff quarters have electricity for the first time.
Bringing light and safety to rural healthcare in Nigeria
In Daurawa, Kano State, Nigeria, EKOenergy provided €59,000 to the Centre for Renewable Energy and Action on Climate Change (CREACC-NG). This funding helped electrify, among many other project activities, a newly constructed health clinic.
The solar installation now ensures that the health center has lighting and access to electricity at all times, allowing medical staff to use essential equipment and provide care even at night. The introduction of electricity has transformed access to healthcare in this rural community, making services more reliable, available, and safe.
Powering rainforest health centers in Cameroon
In June 2024, EKOenergy granted €59,995 to the Centre for Community Regeneration and Development (CCREAD-Cameroon) to support a solar project in remote rainforest communities around Bakossi National Park and the Banyan-Mbo Wildlife Reserve.
The project brought electricity to five health centers, benefitting over 12,500 people in 41 communities. Previously, clinics operated in darkness or used hazardous sources of light such as kerosene lamps or wood fires—both of which are harmful to health and the environment.
Each clinic received a solar system between 3 and 5 kW, with battery storage and daily generation of up to 15 kWh. Medical services have since improved dramatically. Clinics now have proper lighting and the ability to run essential medical devices. The elimination of diesel generators has made the health centers also quieter and more comfortable for patients.
Supporting health centers with clean water and other essentials
Alongside these electrification projects, EKOenergy has supported several initiatives that improve healthcare by providing clean water to health centers. Access to safe water is crucial for hygiene, infection prevention, and patient safety—especially in areas where waterborne diseases are common and infrastructure is limited. This kind of projects help create safer, more resilient health facilities and communities.
Choosing EKOenergy makes a big difference for many
Access to healthcare is a human right. Yet in many parts of the world, the absence of reliable electricity prevents clinics from offering even basic services, putting lives at risk and denying people their right to safe care. By bringing renewable energy to health centers, we not only improve medical outcomes—we also help restore dignity to patients and staff alike. Electricity brings light, safety, and the ability to treat people with the care and respect they deserve.
We can fund a growing number of life-chaning solar projects each year thanks to users of EKOenergy-labelled electricity. For every megawatt-hour sold, at least €0.10 goes to initiatives like these—bringing clean energy to places where it’s needed most. Want to help make more projects like these happen? Contact us, ask your energy supplier, or visit our designated webpage to find authorised sellers in more than 80 countries.
Published: 17 September 2025
