The largest mobile network provider in Africa has released a request for proposals (RFP) that would transform its corporate headquarters into a fully “green” workplace.
MTN claims that in order to achieve its net zero goals, it would implement a four-phase green energy program.
As electricity supplier Eskom struggles to keep the lights on, many businesses and households are looking into alternate energy sources at the same time as the announcement.
Phase one of MTN’s green energy program, according to the company, is the hiring of suppliers for solar parking lots and rooftop solar panels. The company’s more significant Project Zero effort, which investigates all types of renewable energy on both a large and small scale, includes this as a component.
MTN SA CEO Charles Molapisi says apart from helping manage the current rolling power cut challenges, MTN’s energy strategy addresses a broad array of immediate climate and energy challenges. The company says that the process includes mitigation initiatives to minimise and/or eliminate the impacts of climate change while reducing energy costs and dependence on fossil fuels.
“Climate action is imperative to secure the future socio-economic development of Africa. In South Africa, we acknowledge the importance of balancing the reduction of our impact on the environment with the need to connect more people to high-speed broadband,” says Molapisi.
“We are adopting appropriate mitigation measures that are enabling MTN and its people to reduce our reliance on fossil fuel generated power. Our focus is to reduce any unnecessary use of energy, create more energy efficiencies, increase the use of renewable energy and generate more value from conventional sources, such as heat.”
The MTN Net Zero Energy Project will be implemented in four phases:
• Phase one facility – 14th Avenue campus rooftop and solar carports in car parks.
• Phase two facility – ground-mounted solar facility on vacant land adjacent to the 14th Avenue campus.
• Phase three – rooftop and ground-mounted solar at various other MTN facilities.
• Phase four – off-site wheeling from renewable energy independent power producers (IPPs).
The company believes implementing the renewable energy project will result in improved reliability and cost-effectiveness of electricity supply.
It points out that phase one could see an anticipated 7 143MWH generated (one MWH is equal to 1 000 kilowatts of electricity generated per hour).
These projections are subject to final bid approvals and evaluations, says MTN, noting the preferred bidder notification for phase one is expected in December.
