The first hospital in Colombia to operate only with solar energy is in Santander.
The San Juan de Dios hospital, located in the municipality of Betulia, Santander, through a clean energy proposal, plans to reduce electricity consumption in order to continue offering quality service to Betulia residents.
With an investment of close to $70 million, the support of the Municipality of Betulia and the endorsement of the Government of Santander, the purchase and installation of 20 solar panels of 545W was completed, which will produce an average energy of 1044 kWh per month, equivalent to an annual savings of $17 million 124 thousand.
With this initiative, Dr. Miguel Tuta Rueda, physician and manager of the Betulia hospital, implemented “the energy of the future” and places the institution as the first health entity in the country to acquire electric energy through solar panels, a system that will cover all its needs.
It is important to mention that the useful life of these photovoltaic panels is 25 years and in that time they will represent a long-term savings of $428 million 100 thousand for the institution.
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Contributions to the environment
Bearing the energy costs generated by the services of a health sector institution entails an economic responsibility that is difficult to bear. Mismanagement could even lead to the liquidation and bankruptcy of a hospital.
The installation of the 20 solar panels is an answer to reduce energy service costs and find a balance in the hospital’s finances, resources that will now be used to cover other high-priority needs.
Undoubtedly, one of the great benefits of developing clean energy projects is to provide an environmentally friendly solution.
It is estimated that the solar panels installed in the hospital will generate 6,148 kw/h in a year, which would avoid at least 2,275 kg of CO2 emissions, the main greenhouse gas. In turn, their installation is equivalent to planting 103 trees in a year.
In this way, the Betulia hospital, located three hours from Bucaramanga, becomes a pioneer in its sector in the defense of the environment, by providing electricity to its infrastructure through these photovoltaic panels.
Undoubtedly, the financial and environmental benefits of this renewable energy project are an example for other entities in the health sector, which are called to adopt similar proposals.
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A regional power
Upon assuming management, Dr. Miguel Tuta Rueda received the San Juan de Dios hospital with a debt from previous periods of close to $500 million, which made it necessary to enter into a fiscal and financial reorganization program.
This financial situation turned the institution into an entity on the way to be intervened and liquidated. However, thanks to the timely intervention and management of the management, the municipality and the government, it was able to clean up its debts and other economic commitments.
In addition, with the mission of turning the hospital of the Betulianos into a regional power in terms of health services, the emergency area was remodeled, biomedical equipment was provided and work has been done to expand the portfolio of services to ensure the welfare of the community.
