Solar Panel System and UPS at Talara Medical Post

EcoSwell are working on an exciting new project consisting of the design, procurement and installation of a solar Uninterrupted Power System (UPS) for the Medical Post in the town of Talara, Perú. The region suffers badly from energy blackouts and electricity shortages, which has detrimental effects on the day-to-day functioning of the Medical Post and its ability to attend to its patients. One of the primary healthcare services offered to the community at this facility is their vaccination and immunization programs. Due to the blackouts, the Medical Post does not have a reliable energy supply for their vaccine fridges and freezers, resulting in breaks in the cold chain and losses of vast quantities of vaccines. The aim of this project is to provide a sustainable and constant energy supply to combat this problem, whilst reducing the strain on the healthcare system in the region. 

Andres Bustamante is one of four directors at EcoSwell and leads on their renewable energy projects. In 2019 he successfully led the team in installing a similar project at the Lobitos Medical Post. Lobitos is a small fishing town situated roughly 12 km from Talara and had previously suffered from similar issues with reliable electricity. Following the success of this project, it was identified that such a system could be scaled up, which led to the proposed project at the Talara Medical Post. 

In recent months significant progress has been made. In line with EcoSwell’s high-impact ethos, the first step was to conduct a research exercise to fully understand the situation faced by the personnel at the Talara Medical Post. By way of a thorough interview process, EcoSwell spoke to key stakeholders within the institution to analyze the problems that they face, identify the priority areas that would like the UPS system to address, and quantify the potential impact that the proposed UPS system would have, both on the center’s ability to attend to their patients and on the wider community. The interviews have mostly been completed and a report with main findings is in the process of being finalized.

EcoSwell were delighted to meet with the Medical Center personnel alongside some regional government officials at the Medical Post in mid-November conduct some additional research. The EcoSwell team also accompanied the officials to the Lobitos Medical Post to take a look at the UPS system installed there, before joining for lunch at the EcoSwell house. The meeting was extremely productive and provided a valuable opportunity to strengthen the relatinoship. They expressed their support of the project and await a technical submission for the UPS system design in order to progress further.

Once the research report is finalized, this will be used to put a technical system design together. The target completion for this is mid-December in order to begin material procurement and project installation in Q1 2023. EcoSwell would like to express their gratitude for all the support so far and look forward to providing further positive updates on progress in the new year.