BT Group has activated its first self-powered mobile site in the Shropshire Hills, with 70% of its energy needs met by on-site solar panels and a wind turbine. This innovative site provides sustainable 4G and 5G connectivity to EE customers in the area, ensuring reliable service while significantly reducing carbon emissions. The site serves as a trial, with plans to expand this technology to hundreds of other locations identified for their renewable energy potential.

The site’s power is generated through a combination of solar and wind energy, which charges the batteries that power the mobile mast. In cases where renewable energy is insufficient, a generator using Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) fuel provides backup power, ensuring continuous connectivity. HVO is a green fuel made from waste and residual oils, further enhancing the site’s sustainability credentials.

BT Group anticipates the site will produce around 17,000kWh of renewable energy annually, equivalent to 100,000 hot showers, and save over £10,000 in energy costs. This initiative is part of BT Group’s broader goal to become a net zero business by 2031, focusing on improving the energy efficiency of its networks, which account for the majority of its energy consumption. The self-powering site complements other sustainability efforts, such as energy-saving cell-sleep technology and the phase-out of the legacy 3G network.

Greg McCall, Chief Networks Officer at BT Group, emphasised the importance of providing widespread coverage in today’s connectivity-driven world, while also highlighting the necessity of doing so sustainably. He expressed enthusiasm for the potential of self-powering sites to enhance the energy efficiency of their networks, aligning with BT Group’s goals for both sustainability and improved connectivity.