The leading Telecommunication company, Airtel Nigeria, is taking significant steps toward reducing its reliance on diesel by embracing greener and more Sustainable Energy solutions. In an effort to reduce its ₦28 billion annual diesel expenditure, the telecommunications giant has outlined plans to reduce its environmental impact by adopting solar power and other clean energy sources. During a recent discussion in Lagos, Femi Adeniran, who heads Corporate Communications and Corporate Social Responsibility at Airtel Nigeria, disclosed that the company utilises about 22 million litres of diesel monthly.
This fuel is essential for operating the company’s over 15,000 sites across the country, with each site generally depending on a minimum of one diesel generator for power. Adeniran pointed out that Finance and environmental expenses might have increased without collocation initiatives facilitating Infrastructure sharing among telecom operators. To lessen its environmental impact and contribute to the country’s ambitions for addressing climate change, they plan to move away from diesel and adopt greener energy alternatives like the national power grid and solar power.
Sufficient power supply could reduce their dependence on diesel generators.
Furthermore, this represents a notable change in the nation’s telecommunications sector, where reliance on generators has been common because of frequent Power Supply issues. The transition to Renewable Energy is anticipated to enhance their aims for Environmental Sustainability and contribute to national climate goals. Mr. Harmanpreet Dhillon, the Chief Technical Officer of Airtel Nigeria, mentioned that the organisation is investigating lithium-ion battery technology. These advanced batteries, differing from traditional options, boast enhanced energy retention and reduced charge depletion rates, making them popular in electric vehicles and mobile devices.
However, the aim is to reduce dependence on diesel fuel while providing a greener solution. Lithium-ion batteries are well known for their capacity to store more energy relative to their size and weight, making them an ideal choice for company operations. Dhillon stressed that adopting this Technology could decrease energy usage and minimise the organisation’s environmental impact. By transitioning to these advanced batteries, they intend to meet their Sustainability goals and lower costs over time. Alongside investing in renewable energy options, the company chooses more robust telecom equipment designed to function in extreme outdoor environments.
Data centre designed to enhance efficiency will be completed soon.
Also, this transition aims to decrease the company’s energy consumption since traditional telecom devices are easily affected by temperature fluctuations and typically need climate-controlled indoor spaces to work properly. The latest technology is built to meet challenging environmental factors like extreme temperatures, moisture, and dust, eliminating the necessity for climate-controlled indoor spaces and leading to additional energy savings. Kemi Ariyo, the Information Technology Director at Airtel Nigeria, emphasised a crucial element of the firm’s environmental efforts. She noted that the organisation plans to lead the way in implementing Eco-friendly technologies in its processes, beginning with developing its data centre.
Anticipated to be finished by 2027, this new data centre is designed to enhance the company’s operational efficiency while supporting its commitment to sustainability. Their emphasis on sustainability demonstrates a dedication to pioneering advancements in the telecommunications sector, establishing a benchmark for businesses to merge operational effectiveness with ecological accountability. According to Ariyo, the upcoming data centre will enhance the firm’s capabilities and act as an example of integrating eco-friendly technology within its framework. Adeniran, Dhillon, and Ariyo collectively underscored their commitment to a sustainable future, expressing confidence that today’s investments will lead to a cleaner and energy-efficient tomorrow.
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Lastly, their choice to implement solar energy, utilise Lithium-ion batteries, and invest in resilient equipment capable of functioning in different conditions forms a strategic approach to minimising the company’s energy use and dependence on diesel generators. By actively engaging in these projects, the organisation establishes its role as a leader in environmental sustainability in the telecommunications industry. Such initiatives are anticipated to lower operational expenses while supporting the nation’s climate objectives. By using renewable energy sources and enhanced technologies and prioritising the reduction of its carbon emissions, the company is making strides toward creating a greener, more responsible future.