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Alternative Energy
Alternative Energy

Issue

The GSMA Development Fund has conducted two pilot projects using Biofuels and one pilot project using Solar and Wind Power. These pilots have investigated how we can power base stations in remote, off-grid locations with greener and more cost effective sources of energy, for the purpose of connecting the unconnected.

A key reason why many regions of the world lack GSM coverage is the limited reach of the electricity grid. In Nigeria for example, only 25% of base stations are connected to 'the grid' which means operators have to solve the power issue themselves in order to extend coverage to remote parts of the world. As a result, Africa alone consumes over 30 million litres of diesel per annum powering base stations (an average of 18,000 litres per base station per year). There are numerous challenges for operators using diesel generators including:

  • Diesel prices are high and rising. Operators in parts of Africa cite diesel accounting for more than two thirds of their total operating costs
  • Many emerging markets do not have their own oil reserves or they do not refine oil locally, hence diesel becomes a significant import cost
  • Diesel powered base stations require good road access to transport the diesel
  • Diesel generators and diesel stores require good security to protect stocks
  • Diesel is a non-renewable fossil fuel, which, when burned, causes environmental damage

Biofuels

Biofuels offer Operators the opportunity to power base stations using locally grown crops and waste oil. This solution is suitable for locations where the price of petro-diesel is higher than the cost of processed crops (turned into either biodiesel or bioethanol). This environmentally friendly solution is greener, cleaner and creates local employment.

Wind and Solar Power

The sun supplies 15,000 times more energy than is currently used worldwide, and wind has the potential to generate over 40 times the current global electricity use. Solar and wind power also offer an environmentally friendly power solution for the powering of base stations in remote and rural locations, with the further benefit of being independent, free from load shedding and billing.