A Nigerian technology company, Newdigit, has begun installing an innovative clean energy system designed to provide uninterrupted electricity, medical oxygen, and clean water to hospitals across Lagos State.
The initiative, supported by the Powering Healthcare Innovation Fund, aims to reduce hospitals’ dependence on erratic grid power and diesel generators that are both costly and environmentally harmful.
In a statement on Monday, Newdigit’s co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Derick Nwasor, explained that the company’s ‘Just Add Water’ system integrates solar energy with Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) technology to generate power, oxygen, and water directly onsite.
“Many hospitals experience power cuts of up to 10 hours daily, forcing them to rely on polluting diesel generators,” Nwasor said. “With Just Add Water, hospitals can power essential equipment, produce oxygen, and recover clean water—ultimately improving healthcare services.”
The system, already deployed in three hospitals in Lagos, delivers up to 15 kW of continuous electricity, 10–40 litres of medical oxygen per day, and a reliable water supply. It is projected to benefit over 24,000 patients annually, prevent more than 150 tonnes of carbon emissions, and produce 274 MWh of clean energy in its first year of operation.
Newdigit’s co-founder and Chief Operating Officer, Ms. Joy Princess, said the company’s long-term goal is to scale the project to 1,000 hospitals nationwide by 2030.
The project received a $50,000 grant from the Powering Healthcare Innovation Fund, launched by Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) with support from UK aid under the Transforming Energy Access initiative.
Commenting on the development, Mr. Charlie Knight, Senior Energy Officer at SEforALL, said the project demonstrates the potential of renewable energy in strengthening Africa’s healthcare systems.
“This shows how clean technologies can deliver reliable electricity, oxygen, and water, which could be revolutionary in building resilient health systems,” Knight noted.
Seunmanuel Faleye is a brand and communications strategist. He is a covert writer and an overt creative head. He publishes Apple’s Bite International Magazine.
