Solar Power and Oxygen Supply

After two and half year of fund raising by the Friends of St Francis Katete, for equipment acquisition and installation, the hospital now has a fully functioning Oxygen Plant that during the day is fully powered by Solar. 

It was so impressive to visit the hospital in November/December 2021 and to see that all the plans, so careful in their making, have all come together.

The oxygen plant was acquired through Mulilo Gases (Zambia) Ltd and purchased through Inmatec of Germany.

The solar power plant was constructed, supplied and installed by YouGo Ltd based in Lusaka in conjunction with Muntanga Munkombwe.  Muntanga’s help as the main consultant during the whole process has been invaluable.  His work has been exemplary.

At last, the hospital no longer has to reply upon to a round trip to Kafue of just less than 1,100 kms to fill oxygen cylinders.  The hospital is now providing oxygen to other medical institutions from Nyimba to Lundazi.  It has already saved many lives.

As the oxygen plant, for its operation during the day, has been using solar power alone, the hospital’s carbon footprint has been reduced by over 7 tons from the beginning of December 2021 until mid February 2022.

Due to financial constraints in the solar plant’s initial installation, we are now trying to raise more funds to acquire more batteries for night-time use.  It is hoped that the once the circuits are connected, there will sufficient battery power to power the oxygen plant, all four theatres, ICU, SCBU, labour wards and the children’s ward for up to 5 hours.  For the remainder of the night, we will have to reply on power from ZESCO or diesel gensets.

One the of the big plusses in the way the solar system has been set up is that as funding allows, we will be able to add more PV panels, inverters, batteries etc. In 2023/24, several donors have come forward with additional funds to increase the hospital’s solar production from an average of 170 Kw per day to about 300 Kw per days. It is expected that the additional equipment will be installed by the end October 2024. Once installed, it is hoped the that the more than 50% of the hospital’s energy needs will be provided by solar.

If you would like to donate towards this project or to other work at the hospital, please follow the link: https://shop.saintfrancishospital.net/.

If you would like to know more about the hospital and its work in improving the health and welfare of the Zambian people, please contact Andrew Cairns on the following link: andrew.cairns@fosfkct.org.uk