In response to ongoing challenges, solar energy is becoming increasingly important due to frequent blackouts caused by damage to power grid infrastructure in Ukraine.
The Ukrainian Red Cross actively responds to the humanitarian crisis by implementing large-scale projects to rebuild infrastructure nationwide. For instance, in the city of Vyshneve, Kyiv region, solar panels have been installed at the Vyshnivska City Hospital. The municipal healthcare facility, which serves over 120,000 people, can now continue providing medical services to patients even during emergency power outages.
"The Ukrainian Red Cross is undertaking numerous large-scale projects to support and restore critical infrastructure in Ukraine, including medical facilities. It is important for us to ensure that people receive timely medical care, as it is a matter of saving lives," stated Maksym Dotsenko, Director General of the National Committee of the Ukrainian Red Cross Society.
The hospital currently has an inpatient unit with a capacity for 100 patients, a diagnostic department equipped with a CT scanner and a portable X-ray machine, as well as endoscopy and physiotherapy rooms. Therefore, ensuring the hospital’s autonomous power supply to maintain operations during the war is crucial, especially given the risk of power outages.
The solar panels were installed using the ballast method without changing the roof structure. The system features 182 photovoltaic cells with a total capacity of up to 100 kW, fully meeting the hospital's daytime electricity needs. Simultaneously, the battery storage system is charged to ensure power availability during emergency shutdowns. The healthcare facility can operate autonomously on battery power for 3 to 7 hours, depending on the load. The system has been tested and is now operational. The total cost of the project is approximately UAH 4.5 million.
“When designing this station, we considered the capacity of our institution. On sunny days, it will meet 100% of our needs. During autumn and winter, it will provide up to 30% of our electricity requirements, particularly for the wards with the most critical patients,” emphasized Nataliia Skryhina, Director of the Vyshnivska City Hospital, a municipal non-profit enterprise.
Patients of other medical facilities across the country risk being left without access to essential services as the energy crisis deepens. This means there is still considerable work ahead. Join us in our projects to achieve energy independence for medical facilities nationwide. Together, we will help tens or even hundreds of thousands of people!
To learn more about cooperation opportunities and projects that need your support, please get in touch with us at partners@redcross.org.ua.
