A Cape York hospital is going green with Weipa Integrated Health Service set to make the switch to solar power.
The facility will be the first within the Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service (TCHHS) to convert to the renewable energy source.
TCHHS Acting Executive Director Strategy and Investment Maya Smitran said the Health Service had secured $2.17 million through the Queensland Emissions Reduction Fund for the project.
She said the contract had been awarded and installation was due to commence early next year. It is expected to be completed by late 2026.
The project is part of a statewide Queensland Health initiative to reduce emissions.
“This project will see the installation of a solar PV and battery energy storage system at Weipa Hospital,” she said.
“Along with the positive environmental impacts, this is also going to significantly reduce operational costs for our Health Service which should allow us to spend more where it really matters – delivering health care to our patients.
“We estimate it will save around $500,000 per year on operational costs which is incredibly significant.
“It is well known that climate change disproportionately impacts remote areas like our region, through extreme weather events and increased health risks, and as a Health Service we are committed to doing our part to reducing our carbon footprint.
“Obviously there will be appropriate and reliable redundancies built into this new system to ensure a continuous power supply to the facility regardless of weather conditions.
“We do utilise solar at other facilities, but this will be the first large-scale project for TCHHS, and we look forward to investigating further renewable energy projects across the region.”
The State Government launched a Climate Risk Strategy in 2021 with a target of generating 50 per cent of electricity from renewable energy by 2030.