BT Launches First Wind- and Solar-Powered Mobile Tower

BT

BT Group has launched its first partially self-powered mobile site in the Shropshire Hills, marking a significant step towards sustainable telecommunications.

This innovative site is designed to support 4G and 5G services and aims to achieve an impressive goal of generating approximately 70% of its energy from on-site solar panels and a wind turbine. The renewable energy collected will charge the batteries that power the equipment on the mast.

When renewable energy is insufficient and the batteries are depleted, the site will rely on a generator powered by hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) as a backup. HVO is considered a green fuel, produced from various waste and residual oils, further enhancing the site’s sustainability.

BT Group estimates that this self-powered site will produce around 17,000 kWh of energy annually, equivalent to the energy needed for approximately 100,000 hot showers. Additionally, the initiative is expected to save the operator over GBP 10,000 each year. 

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BT’s Commitment to Sustainable Connectivity

Although the Shropshire Hills site is being tested, BT has already identified hundreds of other potential locations that could benefit from similar renewable energy sources, particularly in coastal or hilly areas. The company aims to achieve Net Zero status by 2031, significantly enhancing the energy efficiency of its networks, which currently account for about 89% of its total energy consumption.

This move follows BT’s earlier efforts to improve energy efficiency, including implementing energy-saving, cell-sleep technology across its radio access network (RAN) and shutting down its 3G network.

“Delivering ubiquitous coverage is critically important in an age where connectivity has never been so central to everyday life, but it must be done responsibly and sustainably. It’s paramount that we increase the energy efficiency of our networks, so we’re excited about the potential of self-powering sites enabling us to meet both our sustainability and connectivity ambitions,” emphasized Greg McCall, Chief Networks Officer at BT Group.

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