Solar Power for Resilient Health Systems in Nigeria: Regulatory, Financial and Organisational Options for Sustainable Business Models

Highlights • Solar power for healthcare in Nigeria needs external sources to cover OPEX costs. • Regulation must stimulate capital investment for efficient business models. • Bankable solar batteries imply cost allocations among public and private actors. • Together, energy and health sectors can better identify energy needs. • Teaching hospitals and local businesses can support solar power for public good. Abstract This article investigates sustainable business models for the electrification of primary healthcare facilities (PHCs) through Renewable Energy (RE) in Nigeria. The PHCs using Luminous or lithium batteries require careful allocation of costs potentially among the government, financial institutions and donors. PHCs are unable to bear the operation and maintenance costs, as well as battery replacement in the long term. The university teaching hospitals and small and medium-sized businesses in the surrounding areas can be an option to keep the system working. The Nigerian Rural Electrification Agency (REA) is strategically positioned to coordinate initiatives in integrating the health and energy sectors