The Department of Telecommunications (DOT) has issued directions to the telecom service providers for using renewable energy solutions and energy-efficient technologies.
The move could open up another segment of the market to renewable energy companies along with reducing carbon emissions from diesel generators, which are predominantly used by telecom towers for backup power.
The telecom service providers had been directed to voluntarily adopt renewable energy solutions, energy-efficient equipment, and high capacity fast charging storage solutions to reduce carbon footprint.
An memorandum of understanding (MoU) would be signed between the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and the Department of Telecommunications for a joint working group to suggest renewable energy solutions for telecom towers.
It should be noted that no data is currently available, for India, on the annual carbon dioxide emissions solely due to diesel used on mobile tower sites, so the telecom department has asked the service providers to submit the carbon footprint report based on self-certification.
Further, the Telecom Engineering Center under the Department of Telecommunications has been asked to set up a model lab facility for certification of telecom products, equipment, and service based on energy consumption rating (ECR).
The center has been requested to finalize the ECR document delineating the test procedures and the methodologies used. The Telecom Engineering Center has also been asked to make the necessary provisions mandating that all telecom products, equipment, and services in the telecom network are energy and performance assessed and should be certified “Green Passport” utilizing the ECR rating.
Reference- Mercom India, Department of Telecommunications website, Economic Times