In Irvine, a new seven‑story, 144‑bed hospital powered entirely by solar energy and water opened Wednesday, marking the first all‑electric facility of its size in the United States.\n\n## The Landmark Opening\n\nThe UCI Health facility, located on the corner of Jamboree Road and Campus Drive, broke ground on former marshland that had previously been empty. The opening ceremony took place on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, and was covered by NBC4 News at 4 p.m. by reporter Hetty Chang.\n\n## Design and Location\n\nBuilt on what used to be empty marshland, the seven‑story building rises above the corner of Jamboree Road and Campus Drive. The design team intentionally avoided the conventional hospital aesthetic, hoping patients will feel the space more like a community environment than a medical facility.\n\n## Energy Innovation\n\nAll technology in patient rooms, hospital equipment, and even the kitchen is powered by solar panels and water. The hospital’s 350,000‑square‑foot footprint also generates 1,000 new health‑care jobs, according to UCI Health officials.\n\n## Operational Philosophy\n\nChad Lefteris, UCI Health CEO, emphasized the hospital’s continuous operation. \”We are a 24/7 operation. We don’t even have a lock on that front door,\” Lefteris said. \”We are always on, ‘How can we lessen impact on the environment?’ — something we set out to do from the very start.\”\n\nLefteris also explained the limited use of fossil fuels. \”The only little bit of fossil fuels we have are code‑required for life safety back‑up,\” he explained. \”In unlikely event of emergency or power would go down, we have to have diesel generator that can pop up in seconds.\”\n\n## Workforce and Economic Impact\n\nThe 350,000‑square‑foot hospital also generates 1,000 new health‑care jobs, UCI Health officials said. The facility’s opening completes UCI Health’s $1.3 billion Irvine Medical Campus project.\n\n## Patient Experience\n\nLefteris highlighted the patient‑friendly design. \”You’re walking on this amazing courtyard that is actually the roof of the operating rooms and the procedure rooms , the UCI Health CEO said. \”This was a deliberate design, intended to press the building down to the slopes for amazing views for our patients.\”\n\n## Key Takeaways\n\n- First all‑electric hospital of its size opened in Irvine.\n- 350,000‑square‑foot facility powered by solar panels and water.\n- 1,000 new health‑care jobs created, completing a $1.3 billion campus.\n\nThe opening of UCI Health’s new facility signals a significant step toward sustainable healthcare, combining advanced energy technology with patient‑centered design in a community setting.
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