In the Timbuktu region of northern Mali, MSF has recently equipped the Niafounké hospital with a modern solar panel installation. This transition to renewable energy strengthens the facility’s autonomy and ensures the stability of medical services in an isolated area frequently affected by insecurity.
Overcoming energy instability in Niafounké
Previously, the hospital was almost entirely dependent on a diesel-powered thermal plant that was plagued by regular power outages. To maintain medical operations, teams had to rely on a generator every day, leading to high operational costs and inconsistent reliability. Today, the new photovoltaic system covers approximately 60% of the hospital’s energy requirements, significantly decreasing its reliance on fossil fuels.
This shift in energy strategy allows us to drastically reduce costs related to generator maintenance and diesel purchases, enabling us to redirect more resources toward patient care. It ensures the continuity of life-saving services, such as oxygen concentrators in neonatal and pediatric wards, surgical and obstetric emergencies, and the power supply for the laboratory, ultrasound machines, and the essential cold chain for blood transfusions.
Technical specifications of the hybrid system
The installation boasts a capacity of 90 kWc, supported by a 210 kWh lithium battery storage system and an 80 kVA backup generator. This hybrid configuration allows the hospital to alternate between solar power, the local urban grid, and the generator, providing a 24-hour electricity supply.
For those seeking treatment, this newfound energy stability has a direct impact on their lives. Fadi, who was displaced from the village of Léré due to threats from armed groups, sought safety in Niafounké. “I fled with my children and sister because armed men ordered everyone to leave,” she explains while accompanying her son, Ousmane, to the pediatric department. In such a volatile environment, having access to dependable medical care is vital.
The MSF Green Initiative in the Sahel
This project is part of the “Green Initiative” led by MSF, a global strategy focused on reducing the environmental footprint of humanitarian activities while boosting operational effectiveness. For several years, the organization has been implementing hybrid solar systems across various countries, particularly in the Sahel, to move away from expensive and polluting diesel, which is often difficult to transport to remote locations.
Beyond the ecological advantages, the reduction in energy expenses allows for a better allocation of funds toward medical services. Solar energy provides a stable environment for laboratories, cold storage, and critical hospital departments, improving both the working conditions for staff and the standard of care for patients.
In fragile humanitarian contexts, solar energy is more than a technical upgrade; it serves as a foundation for resilience and hope. Through these efforts, MSF combines life-saving medical action with environmental responsibility and long-term commitment.
Since 2019, MSF has managed a pediatric project at the Niafounké hospital, focusing on children under the age of 15. Additionally, the organization supports four community health centers and provides primary healthcare services to isolated populations in the Gourma area of the Timbuktu region.