Vodafone Ireland has entered into a Corporate Power Purchasing Agreement (CPPA) with energy supplier Flogas and infrastructure partner Vantage Towers. This agreement enables Vodafone to directly source renewable electricity from the Derrynadivva Wind Farm in Mayo, making it the first telecom company in Ireland to sign such an agreement. The €6 million investment aligns with Vodafone’s sustainability goals, aiming for net zero emissions across its entire value chain by 2040. This initiative, along with other agreements, ensures that 100% of Vodafone’s Irish operations are powered by renewable energy sources.

The CPPA provides Vodafone with access to clean, high-quality, and affordable renewable electricity for its extensive network infrastructure, which supports both mobile and fixed services across Ireland. Vantage Towers, Vodafone’s infrastructure partner, will also benefit from the renewable energy supplied by the Derrynadivva Wind Farm. Additionally, Vodafone employs an Intelligent Energy Management System in Ireland, utilising machine learning algorithms to analyse 4G network traffic patterns in real-time. This system helps reduce congestion and energy consumption by 10 to 15%.

Vodafone Ireland is committed to sustainability, offering various initiatives to help customers reduce their environmental impact. These include the ‘Fix & Go’ service for phone repairs and upgrades, eSIMs to cut down on plastic waste, and a range of eco-friendly accessories. In 2022, Vodafone launched Ireland’s first telco device trade-in service, which has seen over 35,000 devices returned. Customers can receive up to €400 for their old smartphones, which are then refurbished, recycled, or repurposed, supporting Vodafone’s commitment to a circular economy.

Amanda Nelson, CEO at Vodafone Ireland emphasised on these initiatives, claiming that they “… are proud of the steps we’re taking to not only support our customers to be greener but also green our own operations. Today’s announcement is an investment in Ireland and its renewable energy industry. This is a significant step towards our own ambitious net zero targets.’’

Brian McHugh, Managing Director at Vantage Towers Ireland, for his part, mentioned that “Vantage Towers’ infrastructure network is totally powered by renewable energy, in line with our global ESG agenda. Sustainability is a necessity, and this agreement with Flogas is a further commitment to minimising the impact of our business on the environment, and a continued investment in Ireland’s natural generating capability.’’

Pat Brett, Derrynadivva Wind Farm Ltd’s Director, expressed his excitement for this process, stating that “… Derrynadivva Wind Farm in Co Mayo continues to play a pivotal role in Ireland’s transition to a sustainable energy future. By delivering clean, renewable wind energy to some of the nation’s largest companies, we are not only helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but also supporting these businesses in their commitment to more efficient and responsible energy consumption.”