Telia Estonia has set a national precedent by becoming the first telecommunications operator in the country to equip almost a quarter of its mobile masts with solar panels. This large-scale deployment allows tens of thousands of customers to access mobile services powered by clean energy, while also enhancing the robustness of Telia’s network infrastructure. According to Mihkel Kõiv, Network Manager at Telia Estonia, these solar installations are capable of generating around 1.5 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually—enough, he notes, to power an electric vehicle for 10 million kilometres if consumption averages 15 kilowatt-hours per 100 kilometres.

The solar parks, installed and managed by renewable energy specialist Sunly under a 15-year agreement, range in capacity from 10 to 20 kilowatts and are distributed throughout Estonia. The next stage of the initiative will focus on introducing advanced energy management and storage technologies, ensuring that the renewable energy generated is used as effectively as possible.

Across all its markets, Telia’s networks have operated on entirely renewable energy since 2020. Increasing the use of solar not only diversifies Telia’s energy mix, but also strengthens the flexibility and resilience of its operations. On a wider scale, Telia Group has set a goal to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, having already reduced emissions from its direct operations by 80% since 2018. Additionally, Telia’s services are supporting the digital transformation of businesses and communities, contributing further to the transition towards a net-zero economy.