- Airtel Nigeria plans to reduce its N28 billion monthly diesel expenditure by transitioning to solar power and investing in Lithium-ion batteries.
- The company is also adopting outdoor-operable telecommunications equipment to minimise energy consumption and reliance on diesel generators.
Airtel Nigeria has announced a sustainability initiative to significantly reduce its monthly diesel expenditure of N28 billion. The diesel is primarily used to power over 15,000 sites across the country. The telecommunications company currently consumes 22 million litres of diesel each month, raising concerns about its environmental impact.
During a media roundtable in Lagos, Femi Adeniran, the Director of Corporate Communications and CSR, emphasised Airtel’s commitment to lowering its carbon footprint. He noted that the company’s shift towards grid and solar power will play a crucial role in decreasing diesel usage and contributing to climate change mitigation efforts in Nigeria.
Adeniran also highlighted the importance of collocation, which allows multiple telecom operators to share infrastructure, helping to keep diesel costs lower than they might otherwise be.
Harmanpreet Dhillon, Airtel Nigeria’s Chief Technical Officer, announced plans to invest in Lithium-ion batteries instead of traditional ones. These batteries reduce the carbon footprint and are more efficient, losing charge more slowly and storing more energy relative to their size.
Dhillon explained that Airtel is also transitioning to outdoor-operable telecommunications equipment that can withstand harsh conditions, eliminating the need for energy-intensive indoor cooling systems. This shift is expected to decrease energy consumption and reliance on diesel generators while boosting the adoption of solar power and Lithium-ion batteries.
Kemi Ariyo, the Director of Information Technology, revealed that Airtel is pioneering green technologies by developing a new data centre that will be completed by 2027. This facility is expected to enhance Airtel’s operational capacity while reinforcing its sustainability efforts.
Airtel’s initiatives aim to cut costs and align with Nigeria’s broader climate goals, marking a significant step toward a more sustainable future.