“Our objective is to deploy green energy solutions to support an always-on network, thereby reducing dependency on high-cost, non-renewable energy solutions,” said Koenehelo Thejane, Executive: Capital Projects at Gyro, a Telkom subsidiary.

The Telkom Park and Bellville (Western Cape) complex installations boast 2 000 PV panels, each rated at 540W, strategically placed on rooftops and ground parking areas – all regulated by 12 Huawei inverters.

These installations will primarily support the DC power requirements of Telkom’s telecommunications equipment, reducing reliance on diesel generators during power outages.

To date, Telkom has already witnessed the benefits of its solar investment. The grid-tied solar installations contribute to Scope 1 and 2 carbon emission reductions to achieve the company’s annual 4,2% Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)-aligned emission reduction target.

Ambitious environmental targets

Telkom has set ambitious environmental targets, aiming to achieve carbon neutrality by 2035 and net-zero emissions by 2040. These goals are integral to the company's broader fight against climate change. A multi-year plan is in place to deploy 3 MWp of solar PV capacity, coupled with battery storage, to over one thousand electronic telecommunication exchanges (ETEs) across South Africa.

The company’s solar PV initiatives are built on three pillars:

• Network energy resilience: Ensuring uninterrupted network availability by minimising the impact of power disruptions.
• Operational efficiency: Reducing energy costs by minimising reliance on traditional electricity supply and diesel backup generators.
• ESG goals: Aligning with the company's ESG goals, particularly reduction of fossil fuel use as outlined by the SBTi.