KNH secures grant to boost green energy supply
Michael Omondi- KNA
Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) will install a solar-power system, expanding and greening the hospital’s energy supply.
In partnership with the German Development Agency (GIZ), the European Investment Bank’s development arm (EIB Global) will offer KNH a grant of Sh7.3 million (€50,000).
The grant comes from a multi-donor initiative run by the World Bank and EIB for cities – the Cities Climate Finance Gap Fund and will cover technical studies and a financial assessment regarding the installation of the photovoltaic (PV) system.
The project aims to meet the growing demand for electricity at the hospital while increasing its energy independence and reducing its carbon footprint.
As the largest public health institution in East Africa, the hospital accommodates 2,400 beds and serves close to 2 million patients annually.
However, high electricity costs in Kenya continue to strain its budget, while frequent power outages force the facility to depend on diesel generators that supply only about 65 per cent of its energy needs, putting critically ill patients at risk.
“Our goal is a climate smart future, and we are committed to supporting Kenyatta National Hospital in its transition to green electricity,” Edward Claessen, the head of EIB Regional Hub for East Africa said.
He added that the forthcoming technical studies will lay the ground for successful implementation of the PV system.
Under the agreement, GIZ experts will carry out technical and financial evaluations for implementation and maintenance of the solar-power system.
KNH intends to direct savings on energy bills resulting from the planned PV system to areas such as purchasing medical supplies, hiring more staff and upgrading facilities.
KNH Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr. Evanson Kamuri expressed gratitude to EIB Global, GIZ and the City Climate Finance Gap Fund for support through the programme.
“This collaboration marks a significant step forward in our commitment to sustainable healthcare delivery,” Dr. Kamuri noted.
He observed that by integrating energy efficiency and climate-smart solutions, KNH not only enhances operational resilience but also sets a benchmark for environmentally responsible healthcare infrastructure in the region.
The EIB Global and GIZ support will lead to concrete recommendations to the hospital on attaining reliable and efficient power supply through the planned PV system.
The studies will assess the hospital’s current energy consumption patterns, evaluate the feasibility of integrating the planned PV system into the hospital power grid, provide financial modelling for installation and maintenance and address regulatory questions.