SOUTH FRICA – MTN South Africa is blazing a trail towards sustainability with the activation of 5,418 solar panels out of the planned 9,000 at its 14th Avenue headquarters.
This marks a significant milestone in its solar renewable energy project, aimed at reducing its carbon footprint and achieving greater energy independence.
With over 50% of the project completed, the Phase 1 initiative has already injected 700 kW into the microgrid, slashing the headquarters’ reliance on the municipal grid by 40%.
By the end of February, MTN targets a total capacity of 1,800 kW, with plans to install a battery storage facility by March’s end.
The project, launched in 2023, is part of MTN’s ambitious goal to transform its head office into a solar park boasting 4.9 MW of solar photovoltaic (PV) power and 2 MW of battery energy.
This initiative aligns with MTN’s commitment to becoming a standalone independent power producer (IPP), integrating multiple generation technologies into a single plant at its Fairlands headquarters.
The environmental benefits are substantial, with projected yearly energy consumption savings of 9.3 million kWh and a significant reduction of 9,672 tonnes in carbon dioxide emissions.
MTN South Africa’s CEO, Charles Molapisi, underscores the company’s dedication to sustainability, aiming for net zero emissions by 2040, a decade ahead of industry targets.
“The solar park, a 4.9 MW solar embedded generation plant, and the groundbreaking Island Mode Project, which will see MTN leveraging a combination of gas, solar, battery and diesel technologies working in cohesion to create a microgrid, are pivotal in positioning MTN to go off the grid during loadshedding,” said Molapisi.
The solar park, alongside innovative projects like the Island Mode Project, demonstrates MTN’s proactive stance in combating energy challenges, such as load shedding, by leveraging diverse energy sources.
The head office now boasts a diverse array of energy sources, including solar PV, gas generators, diesel generators, and a battery energy storage system, all managed dynamically by intelligent controllers to ensure optimal energy utilization.
Looking to the future, MTN South Africa remains steadfast in its commitment to sustainability, planning subsequent phases to reinforce its pledge to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and achieve its 2030 targets.
With a goal of achieving Net Zero Greenhouse Gas emissions by 2040, MTN is setting a bold example for the telecommunications industry worldwide.
For all the latest packaging and printing industry news from Africa and the World, subscribe to our NEWSLETTER, follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn, like us on Facebook, and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
