Energy Assistance installs solar panels in Boko’s hospital

Energy Assistance reinforces the conventional energy of the Boko hospital with photovoltaic panels and batteries

Energy Assistance was created in Belgium in 2001 by employees of the ENGIE Group (then Tractebel, Electrabel, and Fabricom).Today, Energy Assistance brings together active and retired volunteers from the energy sector of the ENGIE Group and Belgian network managers. Together, they put their knowledge, expertise, and hard work into the service of humanitarian projects for communities with little or no access to energy.

We were pleased to learn that Energy Assistance had chosen one of our hospitals to provide a complete solar panel installation free of charge. The hospital was constantly experiencing power outages, which affected doctors and patients. Corona delayed the team’s departure several times, but it finally occurred in September.

Steve, Sarah, Jean-Marie, and Vincent worked from September 17 to October 1 to reinforce the power supply of the Boko hospital by installing solar photovoltaic panels and powerful batteries. Thanks to this operation, the power supply of the pediatric department, the maternity ward, and the laboratory is now assured. In case of a power failure on the regular grid, the three departments can use the solar energy stored in the batteries.

Team leader Steve gives details about their work.

“We did the installations with so-called UPS systems, photovoltaic panels, and batteries. The building was not so complicated, but it required a certain rigor. The most important thing was distinguishing between the loads and the energy demands. According to the study by our engineers in Belgium, the equipment and materials installed here can last up to 12 years in perfect autonomy. The technology of the batteries allows it. These batteries are of good quality and are renowned in Europe for their reliability. We hope they will last as long here. All the installations have been tested, and we are happy that everything works well.

The cooperation with the local hospital technicians went very well. They helped us with the installation. They are very willing to learn in all humility, and we appreciate that.

The mission was fantastic. We were very impressed by the kindness and warmth of the Beninese people and the laughter of the many children we met.”