The hybrid solar installations will offer Airtel greater certainty and uptime from its power supply, which will be vital as it expands its network coverage and introduces 4G and 5G technologies in the region. The contract also reflects a unification of beliefs; WATT’s focus on sustainable development will not only support Airtel to achieve its sustainability, reliability and cost goals but also create holistic and sustained value for people and communities. By replacing diesel generation with WATT’s hybrid solar solution, local communities will benefit from improved air quality while Airtel’s scope 1 emissions will also be reduced.
The work will include the introduction of novel enclosure technology for the balancing systems being installed across the sites, leading to better operating efficiencies across the sites. Once installed, WATT will continue to operate and maintain the energy generation sites, ensuring both a continued supply of reliable, renewable energy, and an enduring relationship with Airtel.
Oluwole Eweje, Chief Executive Officer of WATT, commented: ‘Working with Airtel offers a brilliant opportunity to deliver renewable energy to the Nigerian telecommunications space, which will be essential to the continued sustainable growth of the sector. Not only will it support Airtel’s sustainability agenda and improve air quality for adjacent communities, but it will also enhance the connectivity of millions of users.
‘We’re excited to grow our expertise in telecommunications, a space where will continue to be active over the coming month and years.’
WATT is a private independent producer of clean energy technology, delivering sustainable energy solutions utilizing an innovative mix of photovoltaics (PV), advanced energy storage technology and genset. It provides turnkey engineering, procurement & construction (EPC) and operations and maintenance (O&M) services across Africa, the United States and Canada.
