Amid Russia’s invasion, Ukraine’s healthcare system has faced significant challenges due to unreliable and intermittent power supply, which has affected both the quality and availability of medical care. Frontline and rural healthcare facilities have increasingly turned to solar energy to enhance energy efficiency, maintain resilience during outages, and ensure uninterrupted access to essential services. Supported by the World Bank’s Health Enhancement and Lifesaving (HEAL) Ukraine Project, solar panel installations have helped clinics reduce electricity costs, mitigate the impact of power disruptions, and improve service delivery in remote areas.
The Myrotske family medicine and primary healthcare clinic in the Bucha district illustrates the transformative impact of this initiative. Once damaged by artillery shelling, the clinic faced intermittent electricity even after active combat ceased, complicating the storage of vaccines, performance of medical procedures, and management of patient records. In January 2025, the clinic installed 29 solar panels with a capacity of 15 kilowatt-peak (kWp), funded by the HEAL Project. Within eight months, the clinic saved approximately 5,475 kW of electricity, equivalent to over 50,000 UAH ($1,200), and gained the ability to operate independently for up to 36 hours without external power. Today, the clinic serves 1,900 patients, functioning as a “Point of Invincibility” during prolonged blackouts by providing heat, water, electricity, and mobile connectivity to the community.
The success of Myrotske’s clinic reflects a broader trend across Ukraine, where 130 healthcare facilities have installed solar panels, inverters, and battery systems to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and diesel generators. Between February and October 2025, clinics equipped with solar energy solutions cut their national grid electricity consumption by an average of 48 percent. Beyond energy savings, these initiatives are helping Ukraine transition to greener energy sources, contributing to resilience, energy independence, and the EU’s net-zero greenhouse gas emissions targets by 2050.
The HEAL project is supported by grants from the Ukraine Relief, Recovery, Reconstruction and Reform Trust Fund, the Global Financing Facility, and loans from the World Bank, Council of Europe Development Bank, and the Export-Import Bank of Korea. By investing in renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies, Ukraine is strengthening its healthcare infrastructure to withstand ongoing challenges and ensure continuous, high-quality care for its population.
