FAMILIES in Guadalcanal Province can now access a more resilient healthcare system powered by 24/7 solar energy, thanks to a partnership between Superfly Limited, the Good Samaritan Hospital and the Australian Government.
The hospital’s new solar-battery hybrid system was officially launched at Tetere’s Good Samaritan Hospital. The hospital provides essential healthcare services for over 60,000 people, including women who depend on it for maternity care and child health services.
Acting Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, Mr Andrew Schloeffel said “Australia is very proud to celebrate the completion of the first Off-Grid Renewable Energy Partnership.Not just in Solomon Islands but across the Pacific – a project delivered on budget and in record speed.”
“As a long-standing partner to Solomon Islands in health, energy and private, today’s handover is testament to the incredible outcomes that we can achieve by working together.”
Senior Solomon Islands Government, Guadalcanal Provincial Government, hospital, business and community representatives witnessed the handover of the new solar hybrid system installed by Superfly.
Sister Daliborka Rojo, Administrator, Good Samaritan Hospital, said “The new system will save the hospital around SDB180,000 per year, money that we will reinvest into providing better services for local mums, babies and their families. It also means that we can provide emergency services after dark and support women delivering babies during the night.”
Superfly Director, Mr Gavin Pereira, added: “The new solar hybrid system will provide reliable and secure energy service to the hospital. It is also projected to save 510 tonnes of CO2 emissions over the next 10 years.”
This project is part of the Australian Government’s Pacific Climate Infrastructure Financing Partnership (PCIFP) initiative to expand the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific’s climate investments. It does this by partnering with businesses to deliver reliable and sustainable renewable energy to remote and rural communities in the Pacific and Timor-Leste, implemented by the Business Partnerships Platform.
The PCIFP is set to launch a new SDB408 million (AUD75 million) long-term off-grid renewable energy program soon, further enhancing the Pacific region’s capacity to mitigate, adapt, and build resilience against climate change. Find out more about the program here: https://www.aiffp.gov.au
