UAE's Beyond2020 Initiative Brings Solar-Powered Healthcare to Over 200,000 in Rural India

The Beyond2020 initiative, a flagship programme launched by the Zayed Sustainability Prize, has completed the deployment of six solar-powered health facilities in rural Karnataka, India, improving healthcare access for more than 200,000 people. The facilities, equipped with solar photovoltaic systems and lithium-ion battery banks, provide reliable electricity for essential medical equipment in communities with limited grid access. The deployment was carried out by SELCO Foundation, a previous winner of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, in collaboration with the Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement. The solar installations power neonatal and maternal care equipment, vaccine storage, diagnostic tools, and telemedicine units, while mobile health clinics extend services to even more remote populations. India has over 30,000 primary health centres, many of which face unreliable electricity supply that hinders healthcare delivery. The initiative aims to demonstrate a scalable model for using sustainable energy to strengthen healthcare infrastructure. Beyond2020 has now implemented 19 deployments across countries including Nepal, Tanzania, Uganda, and Indonesia, with Colombia set to host the 20th deployment. The Zayed Sustainability Prize, honouring the legacy of UAE founding father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, has positively impacted over 400 million people worldwide through its 139 winners over 18 years.