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Energy management is as much about human behavior and management, as it is about technology. The actions of health-care staff have a major impact on the amount of energy a health center consumes. In many instances, energy equipment and supply decisions occur outside the health-care facility. For example, a national government agency or donor may provide a diesel or solar system to meet the needs of a rural facility, often without input from the clinic staff. Energy use and management decisions, on the other hand, take place at the facility level, and therefore the long-term success of the energy system is the responsibility of facility managers.

Energy management determines not only how much power, electricity, or current is available to run a health-care facility, but also how that power is used. Energy management will help to:

• Maximize the lifespan of energy systems, through proper operation, use, and maintenance;
• Ensure that energy is available when needed; and
• Keep energy costs as low as possible so more money is available for medicines and other important medical necessities.

For more information on energy management strategies, see Powering Health: Energy Management in Your Health Facility, a resource for health professionals seeking to make better use of limited energy supplies. This guide assumes a health-care facility already has electricity access and that more effective management of this limited resource will improve its ability to provide routine, quality health services on demand.