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THE ROLE OF SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC/DIESEL THERMAL HYBRID EECTRICITY IN TANZANIA RURAL HEALTH SECTOR A case of Lugala Lutheran Hospital, Ulanga, Morogoro, By Eng. Matthew Matimbwi Introduction Privatisation of the Energy Sector in
Tanzania is turning the dreams of rural poor communities - benefiting from
public rural electrification programs - into a nightmare. This is attributed
to the fact that the main interest of private investors is profit; and not
social benefits and improved living standards of the rural target groups.
While previous policy favoured national grid-based rural electrification
programs backed by the World Bank and USAID; the insignificant successes
achieved suggest a turning point to stand alone or isolated mini-grids energy
systems. While the purchasing power of rural communities is low, factors,
which led to the failure of the grid rural electrification, are still intact.
Such factors include: ·
High
and ever increasing cost of household connection, about TSh. 150
000(Euro 128) and a monthly bill of about TSh. 90 per kWh. ·
Minimum
consumption level of less than 1kWh/day, and a load factor pf less than 0.2,
leading to intolerable technical and non-technical losses ranging between
15-50% ·
High
cost of national grid extension, about Euro 10800/Km. Apart from the direct benefits of
supplying electricity to the rural areas by stand alone non conventional
energy sources for economic and social development, the use of clean energy
systems, contributes to the efforts of cutting down the rates of
environmental pollution. The environmental pollution has reached an alarming
level of global warming, a rise of atmospheric temperature by much as 0.1°C
per decade, a sea level rise of 2mm/year, enlargement of the hole in the
ozone layer and frequent El Nino catastrophes. The importance of electricity in health
services is too obvious to emphasize. However with the current
electrification level of Tanzania where only about 10% of the population can
access the same, of which only 1% is the share of rural population, an
alternative has to be found to ensure availability of electricity to rural
health centres. In this article, the use of solar electric systems at Lugala
Lutheran Hospital and its outreach stations reveals the appropriateness of PV
technology application for rural electrification. Lugala Hospital with a capacity of 148
beds was established in 1949. It is located in Malinyi Ward, Ulanga District,
Morogoro Region. It is 296 metres above sea level on latitude 8:55 S and
longitude 36:8 E The hospital is 112Kms from the nearest point to the
national electricity grid (Lupiro), in case of possibilities for connection.
The hospital is also 150kms from the nearest point to petroleum products
supply, namely Ifakara. The hospital serves poor peasants, mostly consisting
of rice growers. Its services extend into the southern parts of Ulanga and
Kilombero Districts. It covers Itete in the east as far as Taweta and Mlimba
in the west. The hospital has three outreach health stations in three
different villages of Ngombo, Tanganyika and Ngalimila. Energy sources The energy sources in Malinyi include: ·
Fire
wood for cooking/boiling water, burning bricks, brewing and smoking fish. ·
Kerosene
for cooking and lighting. ·
Diesel
for powering diesel generators, farm machinery, milling machine, and
transport purposes. ·
Petrol
for small generators, and transport. ·
Dry
cells for radio, cassette players, and torches. ·
Used
automobile lead-acid batteries for powering radio and cassette players. Electricity Needs at Lugala Lutheran Hospital Lugala Lutheran Hospital needs
electricity for medical equipment/instruments sterilisation, general
lighting, water pumping, production of intravenous fluids, office machines,
laboratory equipment, medical refrigeration, air conditioning, theatre
machines, workshop machines, communication equipment and residential power
supply. The Hospital has three diesel - powered
generators with capacities ranging between 17kVA, 25kVA and 37kVA. The
generators consuming an average of 85 litres of diesel were working 21 hours
per day. As the running costs became very high, (maintenance and logistical
costs i.e. spares and diesel), the hospital, conducted a study to explore an
alternative source for electricity supply in 1997. The study proposed that Solar
Photovoltaic Technology be adopted for running low energy consuming
equipment, instruments and lighting at the hospital. As such, a comprehensive
plan had to be drawn to ensure that diesel generators are used only during
times of:
and
Development of hybrid power system In addition to the diesel generators, a
Solar PV array of 3kW was installed at Lugala Hospital in 1997. The system
was designed in such a way that some equipment could draw power direct in
daytime. A battery bank of 48V 700AhC10 was
incorporated. The system supplies 220VAC. The system powers low energy
equipment and lighting for infusion unit, theatre, outpatient department,
administration block, communication (email and bush radio equipment), in
patients wards, medical cooling in the pharmacy and security lights. Another solar array for water pumping of
1.26kW capacity was installed for powering 220VAC 1000W pump to supply water
to the hospital and staff residential houses. After the installation of the first
Solar Photovoltaic Electrical System, the following power supply schedule,
neglecting emergency operations and water pumping during cloudy days, was
adopted: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday 0.00midnight-6.45pm Solar Photovoltaic Arrays 6.45pm-10.00pm Diesel generator 10.00pm-0.00midnight Solar
Photovoltaic Array Tuesday and Thursday 0.00midnight-9.00am Solar
Photovoltaic Array 9.00am-3.30pm Diesel
generator 3.30pm-6.45pm Solar
Photovoltaic Array 6.45pm-10.00pm Diesel generator 10.00pm-0.00 midnight Solar
Photovoltaic Array Two more solar arrays of 240W with 350Ah
battery bank, each, were installed in 1998. The first system supplies 12VDC
for powering a 45W refrigerator used for cooling immunization supplies at the
Maternal and Child Department. The second system was installed at a
laboratory for powering Blood Bank Refrigerator, lights and other laboratory
equipment/instruments. The system in the laboratory supplies 24VDC and
220VAC. While another solar electric system of
60W was installed for charging radio call battery of 12V 100AhC10, a 240W
12VDC 100AhC10 was installed for staff residential use. It is used for
powering lights and a laptop, 220VAC. In March 2002, two more solar systems of
1.1kW and a battery bank of 24V 700AhC10, each, were installed. The systems
supply 220VAC to the male and female wards, maternity and paediatric wards.
These two systems were installed to reduce the load on the first installed
system of 3kW. In August 2002, another Solar PV System of 200W was installed for
staff residential domestic refrigeration purposes. Apart from solar PV installations at
Lugala hospital in 1998, two other systems were installed at two dispensaries
namely Ngoheranga, (owned by the Roman Catholic Church), and Tanganyika. The
systems were installed for promoting the immunisation program, powering
medical cooling refrigerators, 12VDC 45W. Benefits of installed solar systems The introduction of solar systems at
Lugala Lutheran Hospital has increased the reliability of power supply, and
cut down diesel consumption to the average of 30 litters per day. As such
diesel saving per day is 55 litters. Translation of average daily diesel
savings into monetary terms realizes about TSh. 51 150 equivalent to Euro
41.8 per day (at Malinyi diesel price is Euro 0.76/litre and by the then
exchange rate of a Euro at TSh 930). On the other hand, pollution in terms of
GHG emission has been reduced - a the realised average saving rate of 55
diesel litres per day-a saving of 20 075 litres of diesel is made per year.
This approximately reduces about 17 465Kg of CO2 per year which otherwise
would have been emitted to the atmosphere. Calculating avoided carbon dioxide
emissions over 20 years lifetime of the solar electric systems, at least
about 349 tons of CO2 emissions will not be produced to the atmosphere as a
result of using the systems. (Conversion rate of carbon dioxide from diesel
is assumed at 0.87kg/l). Availability of working solar systems at
Lugala Lutheran Hospital and other dispensaries demonstrates-viability and
replication potentials of such systems for economic and social applicability
in rural communities development activities. The system ensures communication
of rural located facilities and communities to the external world through a
radio call. Other possible amenities as detailed above that are powered
and/or could be powered include refrigeration, lighting, laboratory services,
vaccination, and training and recreation possibilities. Future Plans for Solar Activities in Malinyi On the basis of benefits being accrued
from the already installed systems at Lugala hospital and at the other
dispensaries in the area, two more new solar electric systems are planned for
installation in 2003 at dispensaries of Tanganyika and Ngalimila. The systems
will be installed in cooperation with the office of the Kilombero District
Medical Officer. The latter has already contributed two medical refrigerators
imported from Japan. The refrigerators, 45W each are of very special features
in terms of power consumption. The refrigerators have features allowing the
powering to be done with alternative sources of energy; 12VDC, 220VAC,
kerosene and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). The first system will be
installed at Ngalimila Dispensary and will be powered by a 550W solar array
of 24VDC and 700AhC10 battery bank. An output of 12VDC and 220VAC for medical
refrigeration and medical building lighting, respectively, will be also
facilitated on the system. The second system of 275W solar array of 24VDC and
700AhC10 battery bank will be installed. An output of 12VDC and 220VAC will
also be facilitated on the system to be located at Tanganyika Dispensary for
medical building lighting, medical refrigeration, staff residence lighting
and radio. The system at Tanganyika dispensary will be installed to extend
the already existing Solar Photovoltaic Array of 220W, installed for powering
an old model medical refrigerator. The supply of electricity to staff houses
is made to encourage the medical staff to stay in this remote area, thereby,
reducing the gap existing between the rural and urban living standards. Plans are also underway to research on
medical equipment/instrument sterilisation using solar thermal. The first
trail was done in 1997 using a solar cooker SK 14 with black painted
pressurised steriliser. More improvements are needed before adoption. Conclusion and recommendation Most rural health facilities and
services in rural areas are not electrified; as such more deliberate efforts
and support measures are required from responsible government ministries and
departments to improve the situation. Together with supportive policies,
practical strategies are required to get all potential sources and options
employed for electricity generation in rural facilities and centres. While
all solar equipment are imported from abroad, it is surprising the
governments still hesitating to waive all duties and taxes on Solar PV
components and other renewable energy technologies. If we really want to transform
the rural poor communities, the government should be willing to waive taxes
and duties as it had previously done through subsidization of electricity
tariffs. It is surprising that the government subsidized electricity to the
working class, but it is not prepared to do so to the vulnerable rural
poor-through relaxation of taxes and duties, which have significant
implication on the end user price of such systems. It is now high time policy and decision
makers in energy and financial sector deliberately support rural
electrification, which comprises the rural health sector by actions and not
just vain words. Responsible Ministries and District councils are called upon
to prioritise, plan, budget and fund rural electrification activities for
social facilities and centres under their portfolios such as hospitals and
schools. Thanks to Kilombero District Medical Office for supporting her
dispensaries. We appeal to the government,
non-governmental organisations, charity organisations, donors, the community,
religious groups and private sector to combine efforts and electrify rural
communities. Surely, with proper planning, strategies, commitment and hard
working, solar PV and other potential rural alternative energy sources will
transform rural communities. For more information contact: |
