Amid rising electricity tariffs and unpaid bills burdening the healthcare sector, Lagos University Teaching Hospital , Idi-Araba, is pioneering solar energy to ensure uninterrupted power. This innovative shift not only ensures continuous power for critical healthcare services but also underscores the vital role of renewable energy in Nigeria’s healthcare sector.
Similarly, LUTH has faced enormous financial strain due to high electricity costs. According to the current CMD, Prof. Wasiu Adeyemo, the hospital spends up to N150 million on electricity monthly, while receiving a meager N14 million in government subvention for power. The previous CMD, Prof. Chris Bode, echoed these concerns, noting that the escalating cost of gas had jeopardized the hospital’s gas-powered hybrid energy system.
“Today, as we activate this alternative energy solution, we are setting a new standard for clean energy production in this national centre of medical & healthcare excellence. This solar solution is more than just an assembly of panels and batteries; it is a promise of a brighter, greener future. A future where our energy needs are met not by depleting resources but by harnessing the boundless energy of the sun.
Head of Engineering at LUTH, Eng. Segun Ogunkeye, stated that the facility has a free energy supply of 20 kilowatts supported by eight lithium-ion phosphate batteries, each with a capacity of 48 volts and a lifespan of 10 years. He added that the pilot scheme will integrate energy from the national grid, solar panels installed on the rooftop of the building, and the inverter.