UAE-backed initiative brings solar-powered healthcare to 200,000 people in rural India

A UAE-backed sustainability initiative has expanded access to reliable healthcare for more than 200,000 people in rural India with the completion of six solar-powered primary health centers in the southern state of Karnataka.

The project, delivered through the Zayed Sustainability Prize’s Beyond2020 initiative in partnership with the SELCO Foundation, equips healthcare facilities with renewable energy systems that power critical medical services in regions where electricity supply is often unreliable.

The centers use solar energy to operate essential medical equipment supporting maternal and neonatal care, vaccine refrigeration, diagnostic services, and telemedicine, helping improve healthcare delivery in underserved communities.

Each facility is equipped with battery storage capable of providing up to two days of backup power, ensuring continuity of care during electricity outages. The initiative also includes a solar-powered mobile health clinic designed to bring medical services to remote villages with limited access to healthcare infrastructure.

The project addresses longstanding challenges facing rural healthcare in India, including unreliable electricity supplies, long travel distances for patients, and limited access to specialist services.

The deployment forms part of the Beyond2020 initiative, the flagship impact program of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, which partners with former prize winners to scale proven sustainability solutions across developing communities.

Since its launch, the program has completed 19 projects across Asia, Africa, and Latin America, improving access to healthcare, energy, food, and clean water for more than 429,800 people.

The Zayed Sustainability Prize also announced that Colombia will host the 20th Beyond2020 deployment, extending the program’s reach to another underserved community.