In the Bucha district of Ukraine, the Myrotske family medicine and primary health care clinic has turned to solar power to address frequent electrical outages caused by the ongoing war. The clinic, which serves 1,900 patients from Myrotske and nearby villages, was previously damaged by artillery shelling. A hole in the vaccination room wall remains as a reminder of those events.
Power cuts have been particularly challenging for primary healthcare clinics on the frontlines and in remote areas. Reliable electricity is necessary for storing vaccines, conducting medical procedures, and maintaining patient records in Ukraine’s electronic healthcare system.
"Uninterrupted power supply is essential for storing vaccines, performing medical procedures and examinations, and entering patient data into the national electronic system, without which it is impossible to manage patient records in the reformed healthcare system," according to officials at the clinic.
The facility used to rely on diesel generators during outages. However, this approach posed challenges such as high costs, supply disruptions, and fire hazards associated with fuel storage. In search of alternatives, many Ukrainian clinics have adopted renewable energy solutions.
"In January 2025, the clinic in Myrotske installed 29 solar panels with a capacity of 15 kilowatt-peak (kWp), thanks to the Health Enhancement and Lifesaving (HEAL) Ukraine Project implemented by the Ministry of Health, and financed by the World Bank."
The installation provides stable power even when local grid electricity is unavailable. The solar array allows operations to continue for up to 36 hours independently.
During extended blackouts, clinics like Myrotske’s can act as “Points of Invincibility,” offering essential services such as heat, water, electricity, and mobile communication for their communities.
To date, 130 solar installations have been set up in clinics across Ukraine through similar projects. These facilities have reduced their dependence on grid electricity by nearly half between February and October this year. Some are now working toward selling surplus electricity back to the grid.
"Healthcare facilities, especially those in rural areas and on the frontlines, are exploring solar panels, battery storage systems, and energy-efficient technologies to reduce reliance on fossil fuel imports and diesel generators while increasing resilience during power outages and emergencies."
Ukraine aims for a more resilient healthcare system that also supports environmental goals aligned with EU targets for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Funding for these initiatives comes from several sources including grants from international organizations such as the Ukraine Relief, Recovery, Reconstruction and Reform Trust Fund (URTF), Global Financing Facility (GFF), loans from the World Bank, Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB), and Export-Import Bank of Korea (KEXIM).
"The HEAL project is supported by grants from the Ukraine Relief, Recovery, Reconstruction and Reform Trust Fund (URTF), the Global Financing Facility (GFF), and loans from the World Bank, the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB), and the Export-Import Bank of Korea (KEXIM)."