Last week, one of Vanuatu’s first REnew Pacific projects, led by Respond Global, achieved its second major milestone in record speed, installing a new 15kW off-grid solar system at Quatvaes Hospital, Torba.
Quatvaes Hospital is Torba’s main provincial hospital, serving over 11,000 people in one of the most remote off-grid areas of Vanuatu. It previously operated without reliable power, which meant the local community couldn’t always access safe, consistent healthcare when they needed it most.
Now, they are able to access:
· Healthcare services, including emergency care, powered 24/7 by clean, reliable energy
· Life-saving equipment like oxygen concentrators and critical diagnostic tools like a new X-ray machine
· Telemedicine via satellite internet.
This is a powerful example of how practical climate solutions can transform essential services for people living in hard-to-reach places. As Waven Aranhabat, Provincial Health Planner, said: "This milestone marks a profound transformation for both hospital staff and patients."
This is the second installation in under a month for this REnew Pacific project, one of the first in Vanuatu, which will reach 40 remote health facilities over the next year, supporting over 80,000 people. In partnership with the National Green Energy Fund - NGEF Vanuatu, the REnew Pacific project will also be supporting local schools, removing e-waste and building long-term skills through partnerships with the Vanuatu Institute of Technology.
Learn more about the project here
REnew Pacific is the Australian Government’s $75 million investment in off-grid renewable energy for rural and remote communities across the Pacific and Timor-Leste. It’s part of the Pacific Climate Infrastructure Financing Partnership, a $350million initiative for climate infrastructure in the region delivered by the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific.
Visit the REnew Pacific website for more information and to sign up for updates.
Healthcare workers can now rely on solar energy to power lifesaving equipment in Vanuatu’s outer islands.
REnew Pacific is helping transform rural healthcare with sustainable energy solutions.
Delivering clean, reliable power to remote clinics with support from the Australian Government and REnew Pacific.