Cuenca health centers awarded for zero-emissions energy transition plan

The Integrated Care Management of Cuenca, part of the Castilla-La Mancha Health Service (SESCAM), has won first prize in the Primary Care category for its “Urban Health Center Network: Zero Emissions Energy Transition 2028” initiative. The award was presented by “Sanidad #PorElClima” and GSK, recognizing sustainability and decarbonization efforts in healthcare.

The project aims to transform the energy systems of several urban health centers in Cuenca, including Cuenca I, II, III, and IV, and the Specialty Center (CECU), toward a zero-emissions thermal model by 2028. Proposed solutions include connecting to an urban heat network based on sustainable forest biomass (REBI), installing high-temperature heat pumps, and developing shared photovoltaic self-consumption systems.

Key achievements include replacing diesel boilers at the Cuenca III Health Center, which is estimated to reduce CO2 emissions by 63.36 tons annually. Additionally, a shared self-consumption system is already operational at the Cuenca IV Health Center. The strategy is integrated into an ISO 14001 certified environmental management system.