Telia, in collaboration with the Swedish Post & Telecom Authority, is pioneering the use of hydrogen to significantly extend the operational time of mobile sites during power outages. Current mobile sites can operate for about four hours on backup power, but this innovative pilot project near Stockholm has demonstrated that combining hydrogen, fuel cells, solar cells, and batteries can extend this period to an impressive 110 days. This marks the first time such a combination of energy sources has been tested for mobile sites, with hydrogen produced on-site using renewable energy and stored locally for use when needed.

This initiative is part of the Roslagen project, funded by the Swedish Post & Telecom Authority and set to conclude in December 2025. It involves industry partners such as Euromekanik, Powercell, Polarium, and Soltech. The project aims to reduce mobile sites’ dependence on the electricity grid, enhancing their resilience and availability. As hydrogen becomes increasingly crucial in the transition to a net-zero society, with the EU targeting 10% of its energy needs from renewable hydrogen by 2050, Telia is also committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across its entire value chain by 2040. This project underscores the importance of sustainable practices and the circular economy in the tech industry.

Staffan Åkesson, Head of Infrastructure at Telia Sweden stated that “The demand for connectivity, along with the current geopolitical situation, mean(s) mobile sites must be available even during longer power outages. We’re very pleased with the insights this project has already given us. They can be decisive in developing robust, sustainable solutions that help meet today’s challenges while future-proofing our infrastructure.”