Environmental research

Context: Lugala Lutheran Hospital is located in Ulanga district 360kms South of Morogoro. Access to the hospital by road takes 9 hours due to rough state of the road. During wet season, the road is temporarily impassable. The Hospital serves an average of 104,000 people. It has 137 beds. At high season, admitted patients reach 180. The hospital is a centre of excellence for safe motherhood. Usually, there are up to 105 mothers waiting for safe delivery. The solar electro-voltaic plant was first installed in 1998. Due to increased demand, it was decided to mount a hybrid solar photovoltaic Diesel generator system. Solar was planned to supply electricity for 21 hours whereas diesel generator supplied electricity for 3 hours during peak hours. Last year, the solar photovoltaic generator was hit by lightning. This damaged the 8Kw inverter and the battery bank of 2V x 24/700 Ah. As a result of this damage, the diesel generator is now running up to 8 hours per day and diesel consumption has increased from 30Lts to 110 Lts per day. This has increased carbon emissions from 66.6 Kg to 244,2 kg per day. Therefore, this project aims at rehabilitating the damaged parts with the view to reducing carbon emissions. It also aims at demonstrating on how solar energy could be an alternative energy source to the local communities in this off-grid remote location. About the proponent: Lugala Hospital was first built and registered in 1957. In 1997, it was renovated and expanded. To date, the hospital is functioning as a Designated District Hospital (DDH) for Ulanga district. The hospital is owned and operated by the Evangelical Lutheran Church, Ulanga-Kilombero Diocese. Project Objective: To rehabilitate and restore PV Solar system at Lugala Lutheran Hospital for lighting and optimal functioning of hospital services.

Tanzania