Telenor Deploys Solar Powered Repeater in Pakistan

Telenor Pakistan says that it has become the first operator in the country to use solar energy to power one of its repeater sites. The pilot site, which is in Buner in the North-West Frontier Province is a solar-electricity hybrid system that runs entirely on solar energy during the day and switches to electricity or battery power at night.

"Telenor Pakistan continues its efforts to roll out modern networks in a socially responsible manner, delivering on environmental and health and safety standards," says Chief Technical Officer Telenor Pakistan Peter Anthony Dindial. "We are first in the industry to have started using solar energy to power a commercial site. We aim to help reduce the load on the national power grid through innovative solutions and in longer term we mean to upscale this pilot project to other parts of the country after assessing its success. Such solutions are more eco-friendly and less of a burden logistically in difficult terrains, where mobile coverage might be needed the most, and constant generator refueling might be an issue. The industry must boldly experiment with alternate energy solutions in order to connect the remote, unconnected populations of Pakistan in a sustainable manner."

Although the solar panels used in the unit are imported, the batteries, cables and installation expertise are all local. The solution involves a one-time cost but requires low maintenance, thus also reducing capital and operational expenditure in the long-term.

Telenor Pakistan plans to expand the use of solar energy to power other BTs sites in the country. Another area of focus for the company is to create and install other hybrid power combinations such as solar-genset, solar-electricity, and solar-wind to power its BTS sites across Pakistan.

Posted to the site on 28th January 2008