Increasing electricity access for health facilities in Ghana through solar powered mini-grids—a GIS-based energy system modelling approach

Abstract

The research aims to identify which healthcare facilities (HCFs) in Ghana are suitable for electrification using photovoltaic mini-grids to increase their energy self-sufficiency and reliability of services provided. Additionally, the study categorises the HCFs in two groups: those with and without or with poor access to electricity supply, identify settlements within their catchment area, and determine the electricity demand for identified HCF sites and their surrounding communities. The research assesses the most suitable mini-grid system setup to electrify identified HCF sites and the impact of including the demand of surrounding communities into the energy system modelling. Finally, the study aims to determine the accumulated solar mini-grid potential to electrify all identified HCF sites. The study findings highlight the importance of integrated planning between the health and energy sectors to ensure high-quality health services. Solar mini-grids are identified as a promising solution for electrifying HCFs and improving energy self-sufficiency. However, it is recommended to avoid transferring findings between different types of health facilities due to their unique characteristics. The study also emphasizes the importance of balancing the energy flow and stabilizing the energy system through the combination of HCFs and surrounding communities’ demand. It is crucial to assess the electricity demand carefully based on context-specific characteristics, such as the type of HCF and the number of households considered. Overall, the study provides valuable insights into the potential of solar mini-grids to increase energy self-sufficiency in HCFs and the importance of careful planning and context-specific assessments.