AN exciting new project is to be rolled out at St Joseph’s Community Hospital in Stranorlar as part of the HSE’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and decarbonisation.
In collaboration with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, which is providing 50 per cent funding for this project, a ground-mounted solar array is set to be installed at the hospital.
This solar array is part of a larger Solar PV initiative being rolled out across five Community Hospitals in Donegal, all classified as Significant Energy Users (SEUs).
The Roadmap targets these facilities to achieve significant energy and carbon emissions savings.
The solar array at St. Joseph’s is expected to generate approximately 50,000 kWh of renewable energy annually.
This will result in significant savings each year, while simultaneously avoiding over 20 tonnes of carbon emissions.
The array is anticipated to be commissioned in the first quarter of 2025.
This initiative falls under the HSE Capital and Estates Infrastructure Decarbonisation Roadmap, focusing on establishing a Regional Energy Bureau, Energy Management Teams and the Shallow Retrofit Programme.
In addition to St. Joseph’s Hospital Stranorlar, similar 52 kW roof-mounted solar PV arrays are being installed at Carndonagh Community Hospital, Donegal Town Community Hospital, Dungloe Community Hospital and Killybegs Community Hospital.
The majority of work at these sites is nearing completion and is currently awaiting approval from the ESB for activation.
Kevin Gunn, estates manager for Donegal, said: “With the installation of a ground-mounted solar array at St. Joseph’s Community Hospital, and with the installation of roof-mounted solar PV arrays at four other Community Hospitals, we are taking a significant step towards enhancing energy efficiency and reducing carbon footprints across the healthcare sector in Donegal, paving the way for a more sustainable future for our communities.”
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