Question NW879 to the Minister of Health
11 April 2023 - NW879
Van Staden, Mr PA to ask the Minister of Health
(1)Whether, with reference to his reply to question 7 on 22 February 2023, he will indicate (a) what the proposed solar energy roll-out programme will involve, (b) by what date the specified programme will be rolled out and (c) what the envisaged completion date is; if not, why not, in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case; (2) whether he will make a statement on the matter?
Reply:
(1) My Department has appointed CSIR to conduct a due diligence exercise regarding the roll-out of solar energy to all health facilities across the country. (a) The proposed solar energy programme is going to cover the roll-out of the solar energy + battery storage as back-up supply to all the clinics, CHC’s, hospitals, EMS centres including the forensic laboratories. The objective of the exercise by CSIR is to identify the required critical consumption for critical areas of each health facility so that the department can be able:
- To compile a comprehensive business case that will assist the Department in justifying for the required budget;
- To identify critical areas within a “health facility” that requires a back-up service from the solar energy. CSIR is going to quantify the required size of solar energy for those critical areas;
- CSIR is going to consider different kits of inverters with batteries for the Clinics and CHC’s. Unlike solar panels, these kits are not easy to steal. They can be stored in a lockable room with burglar bars and with strict access control;
- To map out the roll-out implementation program for the required solar energy solution for each health facility;
- The study will also identify areas that can be funded by other donors like USAID including others that are interested to partner with the National Department of Health; and
- The exercise/study is expected to be completed at the end of April 2023.
(b) The expected start date of the roll-out of the solar energy programme is June 2023 depending on the availability of funding from the National State of Disaster Centre.
(c) The envisage completion date is going to be informed by the detailed analysis by CSIR.
(2) No.
END.