The Ondo State Government has approved the installation of a 240-kilowatt (KW) solar power system at the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH) in Ondo.
The strategic intervention is designed to tackle mounting energy costs while guaranteeing a reliable, round-the-clock electricity supply for the tertiary health institution.
Disclosing the development to journalists, the State Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Dr. Johnson Alabi, stated that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa authorized the immediate commencement of the project.
The decision follows a review of the escalating operational expenses linked to grid power and fossil-fuel generators at the facility.
According to the commissioner, the initiative directly reinforces the administration’s policy direction aimed at making healthcare services more accessible and affordable.
He noted that offsetting the hospital’s heavy energy overheads will allow the facility to redirect vital financial resources toward direct clinical operations and patient services.
Highlighting the operational benefits, Dr. Alabi emphasized that the 240KW off-grid solar infrastructure will establish a stable power environment essential for continuous 24-hour healthcare delivery.
The constant supply is expected to safeguard delicate, high-value medical diagnostic equipment from damage caused by frequent grid fluctuations and power outages.
Preparations and site mobilization have already begun following the executive approval. The state government has set a definitive project timeline, targeting official commissioning within the first month of the fourth quarter of the year.
The energy commissioner commended Governor Aiyedatiwa for approving the project, characterizing the decision as a decisive move to modernize state health infrastructure. He added that the intervention reflects the administration’s focus on sustainable, long-term solutions for public utilities.
Once completed, the project is anticipated to serve as a benchmark for clean energy integration across public tertiary institutions in the state, offering both financial relief to the hospital management and improved quality of care for patients.
