FG deploys 1.5MW solar power system to dala Orthopaedic hospital, Expands energy support for Kano institutions
Kola Oyelere, Kano
The Federal Government has deployed a 1.5-megawatt solar power system to the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Dala, as part of its National Public Sector Solarization Initiative aimed at boosting electricity supply across key institutions in Kano State.
Speaking during an inspection, the Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Abba Abubakar Aliyu, said the initiative targets four critical sectors—education, health, agriculture, and security—adding that Kano is among the major beneficiaries.
Aliyu explained that 15 federal universities nationwide have already been equipped with hybrid mini-grid systems. He noted that a federal university in Kano has also benefitted through the rehabilitation and expansion of its mini-grid to six megawatts, improving energy reliability on campus.
He however disclosed that this giant stride of providing power supply to various hospitals and institutions of learning was part of effort of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’ aimed at reducing huge amounts respective organizations were facing in term of payment for electricity bill
He described the Dala Orthopaedic Hospital project as particularly strategic, given the facility’s recent acquisition of an MRI machine that requires uninterrupted power supply.
“This is a nexus—our intervention is providing the electricity reliability needed, while the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation is providing the MRI for improved service delivery,” he said. He added that the final project cost would depend on upgrades to the hospital’s distribution network and metering system.
The Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Isa Nuruddin, said the solar intervention could not have come at a better time, noting the heavy financial burden hospitals face under Band A electricity tariffs and diesel-powered generators.
“Running an MRI on generators at the prevailing cost is extremely expensive. With this intervention, we are good to go,” he said.
Nuruddin added that a dedicated 200 kVA line is required to run the MRI machine continuously, stressing that stable solar power will significantly reduce operational costs and make services more affordable for patients.
“The biggest cost of running any hospital is power. Once power is taken care of, service costs will definitely come down,” he said, expressing gratitude to the President and the REA management for the support.