Mediclinic Southern Africa CEO Greg van Wyk says the private healthcare provider is ramping up its decarbonisation effort by exploring efficient battery energy storage systems across its SA operations, as the group targets carbon neutrality by 2030.
Mediclinic’s goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 began in 2021 with a R2.2bn deal to boost its procurement of local renewable energy. In the four years since then, the healthcare provider has installed photovoltaic (PV) panels at 28 of its sites.
While this has taken the group closer to its sustainability goals, Mediclinic has so far relied on on-site solar provision for its baseloads, given the unaffordability of battery energy storage systems and unavailability of excess energy export.
“But we are now ready to introduce storage options,” said Van Wyk, explaining that the next step in the group’s transition to renewables involves a national micro-grid project, which is now under way.
The project aims to integrate battery systems with on-site renewable energy across Mediclinic’s SA operations using micro-grids: computerised control systems that are programmed to optimise energy use during load-shedding, overcast weather or supply during peak loads.
The project requires exploring bespoke storage solutions based on the different challenges specific to each site, including space availability, different systems being on the grid and the financial viability of solutions at specific hospitals.
“It has to not only make environmental sense, but also financial sense, in order for us to install a sustainable solution. We need to know that it is going to work and is going to actively contribute towards our renewable vision,” Van Wyk said.
While many approaches to renewables have shown success across European nations, “these solutions are not automatically a readymade or perfect fit in the SA context”, Mediclinic said.
To offer reliable and efficient battery systems, the group said it was important to tailor its approach to the unique complexities of SA’s hospital environment.
“The approach must be strategic in how we implement, with such a considerable investment by the business — it must be efficient, reliable and able to be constantly monitored,” said Mediclinic.
Part of the challenge is that there may not be a single solution across all its hospitals, and Mediclinic said it would look at implementing “two or three varied solutions” across its network.
To develop the optimal strategy for the project, the group will be implementing a pilot programme at its Milnerton and Vergelegen hospitals in the Western Cape. Mediclinic said it had also been cracking down on energy consumption across its 50 hospitals.
“Energy and water consumption are key indicators for every hospital management team — they monitor, adjust and have to report back on any elements outside their targets. It is a hands-on approach to making a significant difference in the long term,” said Van Wyk.
“Mediclinic will continue to approach this target with a practical, solution driven roll-out plan. I know that we have the expertise on hand to make our vision a reality. We will be responsible role player in our country, creating a better future for the next generation.”
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