Locations
Greening the RFM Hospital Demonstration
Summary
The Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini and the Republic of Italy partnered to strengthen and coordinate efforts to combat climate change and address its adverse effects. UNDP signed an agreement with the Government of Italy for EURO 7 Million in support of energy security, protecting the environment and natural resources and creating adaptation actions to build resilience. This resulted in the Greening of the Raleigh Fitkin Memorial (RFM) Hospital project to reduce electricity demand and cost by replacing old energy systems with clean, renewable and affordable systems at one of Eswatini’s major health facilities.
Background
Eswatini recognizes that access to renewable forms of energy plays a significant role in improving the livelihoods of its people’s economic growth and has included specific actions towards promoting access to renewable energy in its climate action plan. The planned interventions cover grid and off-grid applications where Eswatini will implement small-scale, decentralized renewable energy technologies to improve universal energy access for the hospital and improve service delivery to vulnerable women and children.
Project Outcomes
The project aims to:
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions, energy demand and energy costs for the RFM Hospital energy systems.
Raise awareness of the benefits of renewable energy technologies and systems.
Be a demonstration plot for other similar projects in the country.
Major Achievements
The project received support at the highest level and, as a result, the Prime Minister officiated at the high-level sod-cutting ceremony to mark the beginning of the construction of the solar plant in October 2021.
A 1-MegaWatt photovoltaic power plant including battery storage and transmission line connecting the RFM Hospital has been installed.
Since it started operating in December 2023, the project has reduced electricity costs to the hospital by half.
