In March 2025, Engineers Without Borders (EWB) Zambia commissioned a 12 kW solar mini-grid at Chimpanje Rural Health Centre in Nyimba District, Eastern Province. This pilot project is part of the larger Engineering Brighter Tomorrows program, which aims to electrify 12 rural clinics and schools in Zambia and Malawi. To ensure the long-term sustainability of the system, the project places a strong focus on involving the community and building local capacity through training in operation and maintenance.

Before the installation, the health centre had no electricity, making it difficult to provide healthcare. The lack of power left maternity services unsafe at night, with births delivered using phone torches. Moreover, without energy, vaccines were difficult to store, and essential medical devices were unusable. The absence of reliable services also reduced community trust in the facility, and poor living conditions in staff houses made it hard to retain qualified personnel. To address these challenges, EWB Zambia, in partnership with the Ministry of Health and EWB Canada, EWB Zambia installed an off-grid solar system, including solar panels, battery storage, and a distribution network connecting the clinic and staff houses. Following this, the system was officially handed over to the Ministry of Health on 28 March 2025, during a public ceremony attended by government representatives, district officials, local chiefs, health staff, and community members.

Now the solar system powers critical services at the health centre. Specifically, maternity services have reliable lighting for safer deliveries at night, vaccine refrigerators and medical devices operate consistently, and staff can respond to emergencies 24/7. Electricity in staff homes also improves living conditions, helping to retain healthcare workers in this rural area. Looking forward, the project serves as a model for scaling solar power to other off-grid clinics, including upcoming installations at Kanyena Primary School and Dambe Primary School and Health Care Center.