In the heart of capital city, Atatürk National Children's Hospital has become a source of hope and innovation, driven by renewable energy transformation. By harnessing solar power, the hospital is overcoming Afghanistan's chronic energy challenges and transforming healthcare for its most vulnerable—children and their families.

Decades of conflict, underinvestment, and corruption have left Afghanistan struggling with energy access. The country depends heavily on imported electricity, with a stark disparity between its demand of 4.85 gigawatts and its local generation capacity of just 0.6 gigawatts. This dependency results in frequent blackouts, high tariffs, and energy inefficiencies, impacting essential services like healthcare.

To address these challenges, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has developed a comprehensive solution at the hospital, integrating 108kW on-grid solar technology, solar water heating systems, and digital health tools. This has revitalized hospital operations, enabling critical equipment like X-rays and incubators to function without interruption and creating a better environment for patient care.

Dr. Hamidullah, the hospital’s director, smiles with pride as he details the transformation. 
"Sunlight has brought us reliability and independence,” he says.

Reliable energy ensures that critical healthcare equipment, such as refrigerators for vaccines and neonatal incubators, operates without disruptions. This reliability is crucial for maternal and infant care, where continuous power can mean the difference between life and death.

Hospital staff have also embraced solar-heated water, which has vastly improved hygiene and comfort. Nurses, doctors, and midwives appreciate the reliable hot water supply, particularly during Afghanistan's harsh winters.

Since the system's implementation, the hospital’s monthly electricity costs have been cut in half, from 600,000 AFN ($8,800) to 300,000 AFN ($4,400). Fuel costs for diesel generators have seen similar reductions. These savings are reinvested into medical supplies, family care services, and other critical areas.

The surplus energy generated by the solar installation will be sold to impoverished neighboring communities at affordable rates, through a programme being piloted by UNDP. This initiative simultaneously addresses local energy shortages, generates additional income for the hospital, and strengthens community ties.

This success story is just the beginning. UNDP envisions scaling the solar capacity to 500 kilowatts across other hospitals and health facilities in Afghanistan. By investing in renewable energy, the country can reduce its reliance on imported electricity, foster local economic opportunities, and improve health outcomes.

In rural Afghanistan, where only 19% of the population has access to clean fuels (compared to 85% in urban areas), solar energy offers a path to equity. The project at Atatürk Children’s Hospital demonstrates how renewable energy can bridge socio-economic divides, reduce indoor air pollution, and create healthier environments.

This transformative initiative was made possible through collaboration with UNDP: seed funding from the UN Special Trust Fund; support from the Government of Japan; operational input from WHO; and youth-focused spaces developed by UNFPA.

Looking ahead, the hospital aims to expand its energy capacity and continue its digital transformation. Its success serves as a blueprint for other hospitals across Afghanistan to adopt renewable energy solutions and improve healthcare.