Guwahati: Gnanamma Healthcare Centre announced its transition to becoming a near net-zero electricity health facility. This milestone has been achieved through the recent installation of a 6.05kW solar power plant with battery energy storage, which now meets up to 100% of the facilities’ electricity needs.
The green facility was launched in the presence of Dr Mehriba K. Sohliya, District Medical, Health Officer, West Khasi Hills, hospital administration and WRI India.
With technical support from WRI India, the facility has installed a solar power plant, battery storage, and energy-efficient appliances, including indoor lights, ceiling fans, flood lights, water purifier, water heater, and an autoclave. This transformation ensures that Gnanamma Healthcare Centre operates almost entirely on renewable energy, setting a precedent for sustainable healthcare in the region.
Sahaya Lilly, Administrator, Gnanamma Healthcare Centre, said, “Before these installations, we primarily relied on grid electricity supply without a backup generator, leading to service disruptions during power outages. The facility is now likely to meet 100% of its electricity needs through a solar power plant with 6.05 kW capacity and a battery energy storage system with 21.6 kWh capacity. Additionally, the new energy efficient appliances and medical equipment will help us maintain lower electricity consumption compared to conventional models.”
Located in a remote area, Gnanamma Healthcare Centre is one of the few health centers in the area that offers immunization services. During power outages, ice-lined refrigerators (ILRs) can maintain temperatures of 2°C to 8°C.
Mehriba K. Sohliya, District Medical Health Officer, West Khasi Hills, said, “The installation of this solar power system is a critical step towards ensuring an uninterrupted power supply for essential services, such as emergency care, powering medical equipment, night-time services and vaccine storage. Through this initiative, the ILRs provided by the District Health Office under the National Health Mission’s cold chain point can now operate 24X7, ensuring consistent temperatures essential for the storage of vaccines.”
“Through energy efficient equipment and renewable energy supply, the health center will not only benefit from reliable electricity to provide high quality care but will become a resilient health facility while cutting down on its carbon emissions, creating a positive environmental outcome for the local community. We hope that Gnanamma Healthcare Centre will serve as a model for other health facilities in Meghalaya and other parts of India,” said Rishikesh Mishra, Programme Manager, Energy, WRI India.
The solar plant is expected to generate 5.48 Megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity annually, with the potential to reduce annual carbon emissions by at least 1.99 metric tons and save costs of at least Rs 19,162/- per annum at the current capacity.
Meghalaya’s hilly terrain and susceptibility to natural disasters like landslides and flooding can complicate electricity distribution and disrupt power supply. Moreover, the state’s electricity demand is growing at an annual rate of 2.9% between FY24 and FY32, according to a report from the Central Electricity Authority.
