By Steve Jenkins
Rotarians from eight clubs across Wales, Kosovo, France, Sweden, Japan, and the US have come together in an extraordinary act of global collaboration to deliver an urgent solar energy project at Peja Regional Hospital in Kosovo. With a Rotary Foundation Global Grant of $143,000 raised through Rotary Club members, Rotary District Designated Funds, the World Fund, and tax exemptions for the solar installation, this initiative is an inspiring example of what Rotary members can achieve when united by purpose.
Rotarians Unite to Harness Solar Power: Tackling a Public Health Crisis in Kosovo
Addressing a Public Health Emergency
Before the installation of the hospital’s solar energy system, the laundry facility at Peja Hospital relied on an outdated, fossil-fuel-powered system that produced hazardous levels of particulate air pollution, as confirmed by air quality testing. Patients and residents avoided opening their windows, and pollution also seeped into the soil and rivers, contaminating crops and drinking water. The potential health impact was alarming; one resident linked his and 14 friends’ lung cancer diagnoses to the pollution.
Globally, air pollution claims six million lives annually and remains the third leading cause of death among children under five. Peja Hospital, a place of healing, had become a potential contributor to illness. Recognizing the urgency and drawing on existing connections, Peja Rotary Club invited Cardiff Bay Rotary Club to partner with them to spearhead a global grant initiative in cooperation with the NGO Let’s Do It Peja, the Peja Regional Hospital Board, and Muqa Solar Company.
Supported by Rotary’s Cadre of Technical Advisors, the project saw the installation of 349 solar panels—revolutionizing energy use at the 397-bed hospital, which serves more than 750,000 patients each year.
A Transformative Impact
The new 201.145 kW solar array has brought profound change:
- Cleaner Air: The hospital now prevents over 260,000 kg of CO₂ emissions annually, equivalent to 8,000 tonnes over 30 years, and has eradicated harmful particulate pollution.
- Safe Soil and Water: Soil and water sources are no longer polluted, safeguarding local agriculture and drinking water.
- Financial Savings: Solar installations are highly reliable, likely producing almost free electricity for the next 30 years. The hospital will save over $20,000 in energy costs annually, freeing resources to enhance patient care.
- Healthier Community: Patients and nearby residents now breathe cleaner air, reducing the risks of pollution-related illnesses.
- Psychological Well-being: The hospital and surrounding community can now rest assured that their health is no longer being compromised by the old polluting fossil fuel system.
This sustainable energy solution has transformed Peja Hospital into a model of environmental and public health innovation.
A Beacon of Rotary’s Impact
This project is more than a local success—it is a global inspiration. By facilitating the switch to clean solar power, Rotarians and The Rotary Foundation have not only empowered Peja Hospital to deliver better healthcare but also set a powerful example of how clean energy can combat a public health crisis.
As air pollution continues to claim millions of lives worldwide, initiatives like this showcase Rotary’s unwavering commitment to building a healthier, more sustainable future—one solar panel at a time.
