- The contract would include the installation of solar power and lithium-ion battery storage across 600 sites delivered under an Energy-as-a-Service model.
- Local communities will benefit from improved air quality, while Airtel’s scope 1 emissions will be reduced by replacing diesel generation with WATT’s hybrid solar solution.
Airtel has chosen WATT Renewable Corporation (WATT), a hybrid solar solutions provider, to deliver over 32MW installed capacity of solar PV and storage across Nigeria. The contract includes the installation of solar power and lithium-ion battery storage across 600 sites delivered under an Energy-as-a-Service model.
The hybrid solar installations would offer Airtel greater certainty and uptime from its power supply. This is important as Airtel expands its network coverage and introduces 4G and 5G technologies in the region. The contract also reflects WATT’s focus on sustainable development, which would support Airtel’s sustainability, reliability and cost goals and create holistic and sustained value for people and communities.
By replacing diesel generation with WATT’s hybrid solar solution, local communities would benefit from improved air quality. Also, Airtel’s Scope 1 emissions would be reduced. The work includes introducing novel enclosure technology for installing balancing systems across the sites, leading to better operating efficiencies. Once installed, WATT will continue to operate and maintain the energy generation sites, ensuring both a continued supply of reliable, renewable energy and an enduring relationship with Airtel.
WATT is a private independent producer of clean energy technology, delivering sustainable energy solutions. WATT utilises an innovative mix of photovoltaics (PV), advanced energy storage technology and genset. It provides turnkey engineering, procurement & construction (EPC) and operations and maintenance services across Africa, the United States and Canada.
Commenting on the project, the Chief Executive Officer of WATT, Oluwole Eweje, said, “Working with Airtel offers a brilliant opportunity to deliver renewable energy to the Nigerian telecommunications space, which will be essential to the continued sustainable growth of the sector. Not only will it support Airtel’s sustainability agenda and improve air quality for adjacent communities, but it will also enhance the connectivity of millions of users.”
He expressed excitement about growing WATT’s expertise in telecommunications, a space where the firm would continue to be active over the coming months and years.