Airtel Africa aims to completely eradicate the constant use of diesel to power network

Telecom Lead Africa: Airtel Africa announced that it will
completely eradicate constant use of diesel across all its sites by 2013.

The African mobile operator also underlines commitment to environment by
reducing number of telecom sites running 24×7 on diesel by over 50 percent.

 

60 percent of company’s telecom sites now use the innovative
Hybrid Battery Bank model that reduces daily use of diesel by up to 14 hours.

 
Airtel Africa is exploring use of renewable energy such as solar and wind
power. Over the last two months, 105 solar sites have already been set up in
Niger reducing the use of diesel generators from 24 hours a day to a meager 3
to 4 hours.

 

Over last one year, it has reduced the number of telecom
sites running solely on diesel by more than 50 percent by overcoming the
challenge of lack of grid connectivity through use of innovative models such as
Hybrid Battery Bank. Hybrid Battery Bank model will cover 70 percent of all
telecom sites of Bharti Airtel in Africa by 2013.

 

Hybrid Battery Banks collect the excess energy produced by
the diesel powered generator in a battery that powers the site once the
generator in switched off. This has helped reduce the use of diesel by up to 14
hours a day.

 

By 2013, the company aims to completely eradicate the
constant use of diesel to power its network. This means no telecom site of the
company will rely solely on diesel power 24 hours a day. 

Close to 60 percent of Bharti Airtel’s telecom sites in
Africa are now powered using the Hybrid model resulting in major reduction in
emissions and also operating costs for the company. The company is targeting
over 70 percent of all its sites to be powered by the Hybrid model by end of
2013.

       
This milestone is the result of significant steps by Airtel taken to ensure
that we reduce our fuel consumption and that we play our part in conserving the
environment. Our first priority is to reduce the number of sites that are
completely reliant on diesel generators. We are doing this by connecting these
sites to grid electricity in areas where this option is feasible. Where it is
not, we are exploring alternative forms of power supply, which include Hybrid
Battery Banks and solar/wind power,” said Eben Albertyn, chief technical
officer, Bharti Airtel.

 

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