Sustainable Energy for Schools and Health Facilities: From One-Time Installations to Long-Term Energy Services
Summary
Examines how sustainable electrification of schools and health facilities depends not only on installing solar energy systems but also on ensuring their long-term operation and maintenance. Drawing on the World Bank's 2026 ESMAP report, the article explores the Public–Private Partnerships for People's Prosperity (5P) framework, Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) delivery models, and their implications for improving public services and expanding reliable energy access in Nigeria.
| Sector | Renewable Energy |
|---|---|
| Sub-sector | Public Facilities Electrification |
| Country Focus | Nigeria |
| Main Theme | Sustainable Energy Service Delivery |
| Primary Source | World Bank – ESMAP |
| Supporting Sources | Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Mission 300 |
| Related SDGs | SDG 3 • SDG 4 • SDG 7 • SDG 13 |
Key Takeaways
- Electrifying schools and health facilities requires long-term service delivery, not only infrastructure installation.
- Many off-grid solar systems fail because maintenance, financing and accountability are not sustained after commissioning.
- The 5P (Public–Private Partnerships for People's Prosperity) framework promotes performance-based contracts that incentivise reliable electricity delivery.
- Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) shifts responsibility for operations and maintenance from public institutions to specialised private providers.
- Nigeria can strengthen rural health and education outcomes by integrating service-based energy contracts into future electrification programmes.
Introduction
Reliable electricity is fundamental to delivering quality education and healthcare. In schools, electricity enables digital learning, lighting for evening classes, internet connectivity and improved learning environments. In health facilities, dependable power supports vaccine cold chains, laboratory diagnostics, maternal healthcare, emergency treatment and the operation of essential medical equipment.
Despite substantial investments in solar electrification across many developing countries, numerous schools and health centres continue to experience unreliable electricity. While photovoltaic systems are frequently installed through government programmes or donor-funded initiatives, many cease functioning within a few years because maintenance arrangements, financing mechanisms and technical support are insufficient.
Recognising this challenge, the World Bank's Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP) published Sustainable Energy for Schools and Health Centers: Public–Private Partnerships for People's Prosperity in 2026. Rather than focusing on technology selection, the report argues that the principal barrier to sustainable electrification is the delivery model. It proposes a transition from one-time infrastructure procurement towards long-term, performance-based energy service contracts that ensure systems continue delivering reliable electricity throughout their operational life. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
For countries such as Nigeria, where expanding electricity access to public institutions remains a national priority, adopting sustainable service-delivery models offers an opportunity to maximise the long-term impact of investments in decentralised renewable energy.
Why Reliable Electricity Matters for Public Institutions
Electricity is an enabling service that supports the effective delivery of public services rather than an objective in itself.
In schools, reliable electricity contributes to:
- digital and blended learning;
- operation of computers and laboratory equipment;
- internet connectivity;
- evening classes and adult education programmes;
- improved safety and security.
In healthcare facilities, dependable electricity enables:
- refrigeration of vaccines and medicines;
- operation of diagnostic and laboratory equipment;
- maternal and neonatal care;
- emergency medical procedures;
- communications and digital health services.
When electricity supply is unreliable, investments in education and healthcare infrastructure may fail to achieve their intended development outcomes. As the ESMAP report notes, the challenge is not simply expanding access to electricity but ensuring that electricity services remain dependable throughout the lifetime of the systems installed. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
Why Conventional Electrification Projects Often Fail
Many rural electrification projects have traditionally followed an asset-procurement model. Governments or development partners finance the purchase and installation of solar photovoltaic systems before transferring responsibility for operation and maintenance to the beneficiary institution.
Although this approach has expanded access to electricity, it has also exposed several long-term challenges.
Common causes of system failure include:
- inadequate maintenance budgets;
- lack of trained technical personnel;
- delayed replacement of batteries and other components;
- weak accountability for system performance;
- fragmented procurement and maintenance arrangements.
These challenges often result in systems gradually deteriorating until they become partially operational or cease functioning entirely. Consequently, schools and health centres may once again rely on diesel generators or operate without electricity despite significant initial investments.
The ESMAP report describes this pattern as an **"install-and-forget"** cycle in which infrastructure is delivered successfully but long-term service provision is not adequately planned or financed. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
The Public–Private Partnerships for People's Prosperity (5P) Framework
The ESMAP report proposes a shift from traditional infrastructure procurement towards a service-oriented delivery model known as Public–Private Partnerships for People's Prosperity (5P). Rather than measuring success by the number of solar systems installed, the framework emphasises the continuous delivery of reliable electricity services over the lifetime of the project.[1]
The 5P approach recognises that governments, development partners, private companies and beneficiary institutions each have complementary roles in ensuring that decentralised energy systems remain operational throughout their design life.
Key characteristics of the framework include:
- long-term contractual arrangements;
- clearly defined performance indicators;
- shared allocation of financial and operational risks;
- continuous monitoring of service delivery;
- incentives linked to system performance rather than equipment installation.
This approach encourages accountability by rewarding providers for delivering reliable electricity instead of simply completing construction activities.
Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS)
One of the principal concepts discussed in the report is Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS).
Under conventional procurement models, governments purchase solar equipment, own the assets and assume responsibility for maintenance throughout the system's operational life.
Energy-as-a-Service adopts a different approach.
Instead of purchasing electricity infrastructure outright, public institutions contract specialised private providers to deliver electricity services for an agreed period. The service provider remains responsible for:
- system design;
- installation;
- operations;
- preventive maintenance;
- repairs;
- equipment replacement where required;
- performance monitoring.
Payments are typically linked to agreed service standards rather than simply to equipment delivery.
This model aligns financial incentives with long-term system performance while reducing the operational burden placed on schools and health facilities.
| Traditional Procurement | Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) |
|---|---|
| Government purchases equipment. | Government purchases reliable electricity services. |
| Maintenance responsibility often transferred to the institution. | Maintenance remains the responsibility of the service provider. |
| Success measured by installations completed. | Success measured by electricity delivered. |
| Limited long-term accountability. | Performance monitored throughout the contract period. |
| High risk of equipment deterioration. | Continuous maintenance reduces system failure. |
Lessons from Country Experiences
The ESMAP report draws upon implementation experiences from Benin, Madagascar, Nigeria and Uganda to demonstrate how long-term service models can improve the sustainability of public-sector electrification programmes.[2]
Although implementation approaches differ across countries, several common lessons emerge.
Long-Term Maintenance Must Be Planned from the Beginning
Operation and maintenance should not be treated as an activity that follows installation. Instead, maintenance planning should form part of project design, budgeting and procurement from the earliest stages.
Clear Accountability Improves Performance
Projects generally perform better where responsibilities for operation, maintenance and monitoring are explicitly assigned through contractual arrangements.
Performance Monitoring Matters
Monitoring should extend beyond verifying that systems have been installed. Indicators such as electricity availability, reliability, equipment functionality and user satisfaction provide more meaningful measures of project success.
Financial Sustainability Is Essential
Long-term service delivery requires predictable financing arrangements capable of supporting maintenance, equipment replacement and technical support throughout the operational life of energy systems.
Nigeria Case Study
Nigeria has made significant progress in expanding electricity access through decentralised renewable energy initiatives implemented by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA). Programmes such as the Nigeria Electrification Programme (NEP) and the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) initiative have increased investment in mini-grids, standalone solar systems and public-institution electrification.
As implementation expands, ensuring the long-term functionality of installed systems becomes increasingly important.
Applying the principles outlined in the 5P framework could strengthen future public-sector electrification projects by:
- incorporating long-term operation and maintenance contracts into procurement processes;
- linking payments to electricity service performance;
- strengthening technical monitoring systems;
- expanding private-sector participation in asset management;
- integrating lifecycle costs into project financing.
Such measures can help maximise the developmental benefits of public investments while reducing the likelihood that installed systems become non-functional due to inadequate maintenance.
Policy Implications
Transitioning from infrastructure procurement to service delivery has implications for energy policy, procurement regulations and public-sector investment.
Governments may consider:
- adopting lifecycle costing during project appraisal;
- developing standard performance-based contract templates;
- strengthening technical standards for decentralised energy systems;
- supporting private-sector service providers through appropriate regulatory frameworks;
- integrating long-term monitoring into programme evaluation.
These measures can contribute to more sustainable electrification programmes while improving value for public investment.
Conclusion
Expanding electricity access for schools and health facilities requires more than installing renewable energy technologies. Sustainable outcomes depend upon ensuring that systems continue delivering reliable electricity throughout their operational life.
The Public–Private Partnerships for People's Prosperity (5P) framework offers an alternative approach by emphasising long-term service delivery, shared accountability and performance-based contracting. Energy-as-a-Service models further reinforce this transition by rewarding providers for maintaining reliable electricity rather than simply supplying equipment.
For Nigeria, incorporating these principles into future decentralised energy programmes could improve the sustainability of investments in education and healthcare infrastructure while strengthening progress towards universal energy access and the Sustainable Development Goals.
See Also
References
Further Reading
- World Bank ESMAP (2026). Sustainable Energy for Schools and Health Centers: Public–Private Partnerships for People's Prosperity. Available at: https://www.esmap.org/Sustainable-Energy-for-Schools-and-Health-Centers
- Rural Electrification Agency (REA). Nigeria Electrification Programme. Available at: https://rea.gov.ng/
- Rural Electrification Agency (REA). Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES). Available at: https://www.nep.rea.gov.ng/dares.html
Attribution and Licence
This article synthesises publicly available information from the World Bank's Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP), the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), and other cited sources. It has been prepared for educational purposes and does not reproduce the original publications. Readers are encouraged to consult the original reports for detailed technical guidance.
