Village Energy powers healthcare in Uganda
Reliable energy is central to quality healthcare — especially for neonatal and paediatric care, where continuous oxygen access determines survival. Across health centres in Uganda, unreliable grid power and frequent blackouts have long compromised oxygen therapy and emergency care. Facilities struggle with erratic electricity, damaged concentrators, and dependence on costly oxygen cylinders that were difficult to refill and transport.
Between January and September 2025, ARE Member Village Energy was commissioned to design, install, and maintain for two years, solar-hybrid energy systems specifically configured for medical oxygen and lighting applications in 26 health centres. Depending on the facility, the system sizes were 4.6 kWp PV modules generating up to 18.7 kWh/day, powering two oxygen concentrators and 5.8kWp PV modules generating up to 23.5 kWh/day, powering four oxygen concentrators. Most sites were installed as solar-hybrid systems (solar + grid), ensuring continuous power and battery longevity. Two fully off-grid health centres operated entirely on solar energy.
The project’s success was built on close coordination with a range of institutional stakeholders and the intervention has transformed healthcare service delivery across the 26 sites. Health workers report uninterrupted access to oxygen, improved patient outcomes, and more efficient ward management. Continuous power supply from the solar systems has enabled oxygen concentrators to operate for up to 20 hours per day without grid input. Even during extended power cuts, neonatal and paediatric wards maintained stable oxygen flow, preventing treatment delays and unnecessary referrals. The improved reliability has strengthened staff confidence and morale, reduced cylinder dependency, and improved work efficiency, all of which contribute to better health outcomes and reduced neonatal mortality.
Some of the learnings include:
- Remote monitoring adds value: Real-time tracking allows for immediate response to performance issues.
- Proper training of local staff enhances long-term sustainability and day-to-day operational confidence.
- O&M coverage builds trust: The two-year warranty and maintenance support ensured system reliability during the initial adoption period.
Village Energy has now powered over 100 health centres in Uganda proving that integrating renewable energy solutions into national healthcare infrastructure plans is both technically viable and cost-effective.