- DPA and Econet have partnered to deploy energy storage systems in their facilities.
- Econet plans to reduce its carbon footprint by 50% this decade.
- Econet relies on diesel to power its facilities due to recurring load shedding in Zimbabwe.
Clean energy company, Distributed Power Africa (DPA) says it plans to partner with Econet Wireless Zimbabwe to reduce the company’s dependence on diesel by 80 per cent. DPA plans to do this via the deployment of solar and battery systems. DPA has increased the provision of its services to Econet base stations via the deployment of lithium-ion batteries.
Along with lithium-ion battery technology, DPA is also integrating customers’ existing diesel generators to solar. The diesel generator integration technology allows customers to reduce fuel costs by up to 40 per cent while maximising solar energy during the day.
Econet’s COO, Kezito Makuni, noted that the company is leveraging clean energy and its partnerships to promote business sustainability with energy efficiency, low carbon emissions, risk reduction and cost control.
“We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint to less than 50 per cent by 2030 through improved energy efficiencies, renewable energy supplies, reduction in our network waste, as well as rigorous environmental criteria when we select our suppliers,” added Makuni.
Last year, Econet used over three million litres of diesel to operate its base stations raising its operating costs.