Transition to the use of a renewable energy source among operators in the Telecom industry will significantly lessen the increasing environmental burden from individually – powered generators use to provide adequate service to consumers in Nigeria.
Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission, Prof Umar Garba Danbatta said there will be zero carbon emission from the BTS, and by extension eliminating the danger of noise pollution.
He gave this position in Abuja at an event held to mark the 2023 World Consumer Rights Day.
Prof Danbatta told the gathering that as a responsible and responsive regulator, the commission has been proactive in responding to the realities and challenges posed by the continued reliant on fossil fuel as a power source in the telecommunications industry.
The peculiar energy crisis in Nigeria, he observed made the situation here so cumbersome, as the fifty four (54) thousand BTS across the country are run by diesel, this however comes with environmental consequences.
“Therefore, transitioning to a renewable energy source like solar power will significantly reduce the menace of pollution from individually powered generators”, he said.
Providing solution to the existential problem, the EVC enjoined telecom network providers to come up with a modern and more energy-efficient network.
Apart from this, Prof Danbatta is optimistic that such migration from fossil energy source to renewable energy will lower the cost of operation as operators will be able to save on the cost of diesel that gulped their resources.
He called on MANOs and Original Equipment Manufactures (OENs) to evolve innovative and sustainable energy in line with ITU’s recommendations.
For the industry stakeholders, particularly consumers, to benefit from the advantages of renewable energy, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission hinted that they are working on a policy framework that will encourage the adoption of renewable energy sources by operators.
“When operational, the Policy will ensure that using clean energy sources for power has the potential to resolve the three key needs of the telecom industry, namely: reduction in diesel usage; expansion of telecom infrastructure to off-grid areas; and reduction in carbon emissions”.
He promised that more awareness and education will be done for consumers on the need to key into the new energy source.
The theme of the 2023 Consumer Right Day is Empowering Consumer Through Clean Energy Transition, this, Executive Commissioner, (Stakeholders Management) Adeleke Adewolu said affords the commission opportunity to carefully examine the unintended side effects of critical social infrastructure on the environment.