World · Africa · 8 hrs ago
Solar power keeps Zimbabwe’s health facilities running through blackouts
Zimbabwe began its solar-for-health program in 2015 to keep clinics operating during severe power cuts.
Drought reduced water in dams and lakes, weakening hydropower and contributing to outages of up to 18 hours a day.
More than 1,263 health facilities and medical warehouses had solar systems by August this year.
The power keeps lights on in maternity wards and helps protect refrigerated medicines and vaccines.
At Parirenyatwa Hospital in Harare, solar power has ended the need for expectant mothers to bring candles and torches, according to a nurse there.
Solar installations are also expanding across the country, including at referral hospitals, where they can reduce reliance on costly diesel generators.
Zimbabwe’s solar-for-health program is helping health facilities keep essential services running during power cuts.
The program was launched in 2015 by UNDP and the Global Fund, in collaboration with the Zimbabwean government.
By August 2026, solar systems had been installed at more than 1,263 health facilities and medical warehouses across the country.
The installations support maternity wards, vaccine refrigeration and emergency operating rooms.
Hospitals and clinics have also reported more reliable power and lower costs from using less diesel for generators.
- Who
- Zimbabwe’s government, UNDP and the Global Fund are working together on the solar-for-health program.
- What
- Solar installations are providing electricity to health facilities during power cuts.
- When
- The program launched in 2015. By August 2026, more than 1,263 facilities and medical warehouses had solar systems.
- Where
- Health facilities and medical warehouses across Zimbabwe, including in Harare and Bulawayo.
- Why
- Power cuts have threatened health services, including medicine refrigeration, maternity care and emergency operations.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Zimbabwe’s solar-for-health program was launched by UNDP and the Global Fund in collaboration with the government.
Miriam Matshona gave birth at Budiriro Polyclinic after a solar plant had been installed, and the clinic’s lights stayed on during power cuts.
UNDP donated a 450 kWp solar system to Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Health and Child Care and NatPharm.
The solar plant at United Bulawayo Hospitals became fully operational.
More than 1,263 health facilities and medical warehouses across Zimbabwe had solar energy systems.
- Program launched
- 2015
- Solar coverage
- More than 1,263 health facilities and medical warehouses by August 2026
- Parirenyatwa Hospital system
- 500-kW hybrid solar-battery system
- United Bulawayo Hospitals plant
- 350 kW
- UNDP donation
- 450 kWp solar system in 2024
What people are saying
Before the coming of solar here, as nurses, we would order expecting mothers to buy candles and torches for lighting because power outages were severe. We no longer do that because solar has made our lives better
I’m so happy because there is solar power here now. In the past, each time I would be admitted here, there would be total darkness with no alternative when power went off. But with solar now, that is no more
The solar plant here has massively consolidated power reliability while it has also resulted in a cut in costs that have often been incurred by the hospital through the use of diesel while powering generators for energy supplies