Netcare hospitals are going ‘green’
In addition to all new Netcare hospitals being designed in line with environmentally sustainable principles, a programme is in place to equip the Group’s existing hospitals with solar PV roof panels in order to enhance their energy efficiency and reduce their environmental footprint.
Approximately 2 370 kWp (kilowatt peak) of solar roof panels have been installed to date at nine hospitals, with a further five expected to be completed by September 2016. The commissioned nine installations are expected to reduce annual energy consumption by 4 375 MWh (Megawatt hour). The total 4 389 kWp on the 14 facilities should, upon completion, produce a total of 8,102 MWh per annum.
In a further effort to optimise energy efficiency at our existing facilities, lighting upgrades have been completed at 15 hospitals with a further 17 almost completed. Over 80 000 traditional energy inefficient lights have been replaced with new energy efficient LED (light emitting diodes) and fluorescent lights, which is expected to result in a saving of 14 000 MWh per annum. Further projects are currently being planned at 11 more hospitals, for completion during the course of 2017.
Converting interior lighting in its hospital facilities from CFL lights to 9W LED down lights is one of the projects currently being undertaken by Netcare. The before (left) and after (right) photos clearly shows the significant improvement in the quality of lighting, with less glare and strain on the eye due to varying levels of lighting. The project will ensure more cost-effective lighting and also help to reduce Netcare’s environmental footprint.
Before
After
