Target of 118,000 base stations in developing world using green power
by 2012
NAIROBI, Kenya, Sept. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- The GSMA today launched the
Green Power for Mobile programme with the goal of helping the mobile
industry use renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, or sustainable
biofuels(1), to power 118,000 new and existing off-grid base stations in
developing countries by 2012. Achieving that target would save up to 2.5
billion litres of diesel per annum and cut annual carbon emissions by up to
6.3 million tonnes.
The GSMA, the global trade body for the mobile industry, forecasts that
by 2012 up to 50% of new off-grid base stations in the developing world
could be powered by renewable energy. Backed by 25 mobile operators, the
Green Power for Mobile programme will provide expertise to support the
deployment of base stations that use renewable energy. Up to now, off-grid
base stations have primarily been powered by generators running on diesel
fuel, which is increasingly expensive, generates carbon dioxide emissions,
and can be difficult to transport to remote locations.
"As they strive to bring the benefits of mobile coverage to as many
people as possible, operators need to find reliable, sustainable and
economic sources of power far beyond the reach of national electricity
grids," said Rob Conway, CEO and Member of the Board of the GSMA. "Through
our Development Fund, the GSMA has built deep expertise in solar, wind and
other renewable energy sources that mobile operators can tap to help them
connect the unconnected, reduce operating costs and minimise environmental
damage."
Following extensive research with mobile operators, the GSMA
Development Fund estimates that only 1,500 base stations worldwide are
powered by at least one form of renewable energy. Challenges to date have
included commercial viability, equipment availability and lack of
expertise, but the GSMA's research suggests that rising diesel prices and
falling renewable equipment costs mean that operators investing in green
power sources for base stations could recoup the capital costs in as little
as 24 months.
The GSMA Development Fund is already working with several mobile
operators to develop renewable power solutions for a variety of base
stations located in diverse geographies. The Development Fund has supported
Digicel's deployment of wind and solar energy to power 17 new base stations
on the Pacific island of Vanuatu.
"As oil becomes more scarce and expensive, renewable energy will be
used more and more to power telecommunications networks anywhere that grid
power is not available," said John Delves, CEO of Digicel Vanuatu. "Using
alternative power solutions, such as harnessing wind and solar energy, will
help lower our operational expenditure and reduce our environmental impact,
giving people in the more remote islands of Vanuatu access to
communications for the first time."
After a successful pilot in conjunction with the GSMA Development Fund
and Ericsson, Idea Cellular now uses waste cooking oil to help power more
than 350 base stations in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India, where the
conventional electricity supply can be erratic. The base stations run on a
blend made up of 80% diesel fuel and 20% waste cooking oil.
"If we can secure enough vegetable oils from sustainable sources, we
will move to a blend of 50% diesel and 50% biofuels, which will be better
for the environment and for our operating costs," said Anil K Tandan, Chief
Technology Officer of Idea. "We are also exploring other alternative
sources of power as we seek to ensure that our mobile network continues to
be reliable, sustainable and cost-effective."
The major suppliers of base stations have anticipated the growing
demand for green networks and have introduced a variety of low-energy
products as well as renewable energy power solutions. New entrants are also
emerging, providing tailored bolt-on power solutions for base stations. The
GSMA is developing metrics for "green" base stations, to support operators
in their decision-making on providers and products.
Today, the operators involved in the Green Power for Mobile programme
are meeting in Kenya, hosted by Safaricom, a leader in the use of renewable
energy for networks with 30 base stations powered by solar and wind energy.
As well as supporting operators with experts in the field, the GSMA
Development Fund has also launched a Web site [www.gsmworld.com/greenpower]
providing a wealth of information on the viability of a range of renewable
energy solutions in different environments.
About the GSMA:
The GSM Association (GSMA) is the global trade group representing more
than 750 GSM mobile operators across 218 countries and territories of the
world. The Association's members represent more than 3 billion GSM and 3GSM
connections -- over 86% of the world's mobile phone connections. In
addition, more than 200 manufacturers and suppliers support the
Association's initiatives.
The primary goals of the GSMA are to ensure mobile phones and wireless
services work globally and are easily accessible, enhancing their value to
individual customers and national economies, while creating new business
opportunities for operators and their suppliers.
(1) Biofuels which are (a) produced from feedstocks that have been
grown on idle and marginal land that has not been deforested for the
purpose of biofuel crop plantation, (b) result in lower carbon emissions
than diesel when calculated on a whole of life basis and taking into
account the effect of land use changes and (c) are produced in a manner
that contributes to the social and economic development of local, rural and
indigenous peoples and communities.
SOURCE The GSM Association
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Related links:
http://www.gsmworld.com/greenpower
CONTACT:
Mark Smith, David Pringle of GSM Association,
press@gsm.org
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