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Mater Dei Hospital has commissioned a solar photovoltaic hybrid power system capable of generating up to 750 kilowatts of electricity, strengthening reliable power supply for life-saving medical services at one of Zimbabwe’s key referral hospitals. The installation is one of several projects being implemented under the Zimbabwe Renewable Energy Programme funded by the United Nations Joint SDG Fund and led by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in partnership with the Government of Zimbabwe, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and UN Women.
The system consists of more than 1,300 solar panels connected to battery storage and smart inverters, enabling the hospital to meet its average electricity demand of between 350 and 450 kilowatts while ensuring continuous power for critical departments such as operating theatres, intensive care units, maternity wards, laboratories and cold rooms storing blood, vaccines and essential medicines.
Reliable power is the foundation of modern economies and crucial for improving the quality of life in our communities. Projects like this show that through collaboration, innovation and shared commitment, we can expand access to sustainable energy while supporting critical sectors such as health
Reliable electricity is essential for modern healthcare delivery, where even short power interruptions can disrupt surgery, affect life-support equipment and compromise temperature-sensitive medicines. Health facilities across Zimbabwe have experienced frequent outages, often relying on diesel generators that are costly to operate and not always able to respond immediately during emergencies.
Access to reliable, affordable and sustainable energy remains a critical enabler for quality healthcare delivery. This is not just about solar panels; it is about ensuring that surgeries continue, vaccines remain safe, and patients receive the care they need without interruption
Mater Dei Hospital was identified as a priority facility because it serves patients from Bulawayo, Matabeleland North and surrounding rural districts, where mission and referral hospitals often operate under difficult energy conditions. Frequent electricity disruptions have affected clinical services and increased operational costs due to heavy reliance on diesel fuel.
Chairperson of the Mater Dei Hospital Board, Dr Adolf Macheka, said the solar installation will significantly improve the hospital’s ability to provide uninterrupted care.
Our ability to deliver quality healthcare depends on reliable electricity. This solar project enhances operational continuity, reduces dependence on diesel generation and allows us to focus more resources on patient care. For patients, it means uninterrupted access to life-saving equipment, and for staff, it provides a safer and more dependable working environment.
The solar system is expected to reduce fuel costs, lower carbon emissions and ensure that essential health services remain available even during national power shortages, demonstrating how renewable energy can directly support both community well-being and sustainable development.
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