Health facilities are in the business of providing quality health services, not operating energy systems, and if reliable power can be purchased for a reasonable price from an outside source it is typically worth pursuing. Before investing in any on-site technology, certain options should be investigated.

The following options should be investigated before on-site investments in technology are made:

Grid Connected Facilities:

Improving the quality of grid-power via a dedicated feeder line, new transformers, etc.

Off-Grid Facilities:

Grid Extension
Mini Grid – If grid extension is not a cost effective option, a mini-grid serving a health facility and local community may be a viable solution. A good discussion of mini-grids can be found here.

Unfortunately, improving the quality and reliability of grid power in developing countries often requires significant institutional reforms and capital expenditures which are long term endeavors and are outside the manageable interest of a given health sector support program. Mini-grids based on traditional fuels (and some renewable technologies) often provide intermittent power which is insufficient to meet a health facility’s needs. In these cases a health facility must rely on on-site power generation, storage, and conditioning technologies to ensure continuous and high quality power supplies.

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Last updated: November 17, 2010

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