IKEA Foundation and SELCO Foundation have announced a partnership to upgrade 25,000 primary health facilities in India with sustainable energy systems by 2026. The programme will add 100 MW of solar energy capacity, with an initial funding of €48m ($54m) from the IKEA Foundation, according to a joint statement.
The initiative, conducted with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the National Health Mission and state health departments, aims to improve healthcare outcomes for more than 170 million people across 12 states, and mitigate over 3 million tonnes of CO2 emissions over a 20-year period. By providing reliable and renewable energy to thousands of clinics throughout the country, the initiative will help meet India’s universal health coverage and net zero targets.
The programme also aims to create systems and processes with government health departments for ownership, management and regular maintenance of the energy systems and appliances, with knowledge products and resources enabling other states to replicate the initiative.
Per Heggenes, CEO of IKEA Foundation, said that the initiative will help improve healthcare outcomes and reduce emissions in India. Harish Hande, CEO of SELCO Foundation, said the decentralisation of renewable energy in health centres would democratise essential services by making them affordable and accessible. IKEA has committed to a 100% renewable energy supply chain by 2030 and has set aside €1bn to fund renewable energy projects worldwide.
