The GSMA has launched the Green Power for Mobile programme with the goal of helping the mobile industry use renewable energy sources to power 118,000 new and existing off-grid base stations in developing countries by 2012. Achieving that target would save up to 2.5 billion litres of diesel per annum and cut annual carbon emissions by up to 6.3 million tonnes.
The GSMA, the global trade body for the mobile industry, forecasts that by 2012 up to 50 percent of new off-grid base stations in the developing world could be powered by renewable energy. Backed by 25 mobile operators, the Green Power for Mobile programme will provide expertise to support the deployment of base stations that use renewable energy.
The major suppliers of base stations have anticipated the growing demand for green networks and have introduced a variety of low-energy products as well as renewable energy power solutions. New entrants are also emerging, providing tailored bolt-on power solutions for base stations. The GSMA is developing metrics for ‘green’ base stations, to support operators in their decision-making on providers and products.
The GSMA Development Fund is already working with several mobile operators to develop renewable power solutions for a variety of base stations located in diverse geographies, including the Pacific island of Vanuatu and in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India.