Supporting the Cohuna District Hospital, with vital infrastructure upgrades

In response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, Enel Green Power Australia has provided a financial contribution of 35K (AUD) to the Cohuna District Hospital (CDH) to assist with critical upgrades to consulting rooms, medical equipment and isolation facilities. The work began in August, during the second wave of the pandemic, to transform the capacity of the hospital’s Urgent Care Centre , enabling additional vital health services including a monthly Women’s Health Clinic, an onsite geriatrician and local social worker support. The Hospital is located 10km from EGP Australia’s 34 MW Cohuna Solar Farm project in the Shire of Gannawarra, Victoria. EGP has been working in the area since 2019 on the construction of the plant. Sustainable construction The construction of the site has been a fine example of EGP’s desire to build a good relationship with local communities. The process has followed our “Sustainable Construction Site” model, a series of best practices that help minimize the impact on the environment. Renewable energy was used to power the site offices during the construction process and 99% of the waste materials produced on site were recycled. And it was this awareness of the needs of the local community that prompted EGP to act when the Covid-19 crisis hit. As part of the organization-wide global response to COVID-19 and for the purposes of local engagement, EGP Australia began collaborating with Cohuna District Hospital in May 2020. The idea was initiated by Cohuna Solar Farm Operation & Maintenance Plant Supervisor David Turnour, who says: “The investment here is for the benefit of our community and demonstrates the commitment we have for longer-term community engagement.” This view is shared by EGP Australia Country Manager Javier Blanco Fernandez, who adds: “We are looking forward to a rewarding and collaborative relationship with the hospital in our efforts to support local businesses and regional communities in our key areas of operation in Australia.” "As an organization, EGP Australia recognizes the important role that the Cohuna District Hospital plays in the local Gannawarra community and we are proud to offer financial assistance for the delivery of improved health services during the challenging COVID-19 pandemic." Javier Blanco Fernández, Country Manager EGP Australia The consultation process identified that CDH did not have appropriate hospital facilities for coronavirus-related isolation requirements with patients required to travel to larger regional hospitals for treatment. To address this, EGP Australia donated 35K AUD for the completion of the hospital works, focused on the engagement of local contractors, which is vital in creating employment opportunities in the Gannawarra community. The project was finalized in October 2020 with the new consultation rooms and facilities now available to the public. Tomorrow’s World Renewable energy and the COVID-19 pandemic may appear to be unrelated subjects, but they do in fact have a connection. One of the more positive effects of the lockdown was that it produced a worldwide drop in pollution levels and this made everyone rethink humanity’s relationship with the Planet. That message has also been brought home by some of the dramatic events caused by climate change. This awareness has created a “new normal,” a more environmentally conscious world in which the sustainable and renewable energy produced by EGP will play a vital role.

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Supporting the Cohuna District Hospital, with vital infrastructure upgrades

Supporting the Cohuna District Hospital, with vital infrastructure upgrades

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