The Green Power for Mobile (GPM) programme has successfully convened its Nigeria & Ghana Working Group in Lagos, Nigeria on the 29th and 30th January 2014. The Working Group was co-hosted by IHS Towers Nigeria, and is a follow up to our Nigeria-specific Working Group a year ago. It was attended by 41 people across 28 organizations including MNOs, ESCOs, vendors, solution integrators, infrastructure partners and development organizations.
Key discussions and takeaways:
The Working Group hosted discussions around MNO/TowerCo strategies and approaches towards addressing the energy challenges across Nigeria and Ghana. MNOs and TowerCos presented case studies around their current green power and OPEX saving initiatives and highlighted some of the learning experiences and challenges. During the working group, we have observed a great depth of interest and openness from MNOs and TowerCos towards piloting and deploying new technologies, solutions and business models in order to achieve their OPEX saving objectives and drive towards scaling the adoption of energy efficiency and green power options.
The Working Group also introduced new technologies and their feasibility for the region including fuel cell, wind power, and complete DC power systems touching upon various technical and financial benefits to MNOs and TowerCos. A focused discussion around energy outsourcing business models and the readiness of the industry towards adopting new business models in energy provision is facilitated through inviting both supply side players and MNO/TowerCos to share their views and concerns around the topic.
Some of the key takeaways from the Working Group are highlighted below:
- Energy efficiency and OPEX saving is a priority for MNOs and TowerCo as part of their overall cost reduction strategies
- MNOs and TowerCo are open to consider new technologies and business models once there is a proven feasibility within the local operating context
- Strong partnership between suppliers and MNO/TowerCos is highlighted as a key element for sustainable green power adoption.
- MNOs and TowerCos strongly felt that there is need for greater local presence and capacity building by technology and solution providers
- There was a greater consensus amongst the industry about the strong regulatory support with tax incentives on green power for telecom. The regulators and government agencies need to put across robust policy framework and guidelines to support the growth of green telecoms in Nigeria and Ghana.
- Besides various operational challenges, the industry felt a need for strong financial partner with right investment approach to boost scale of investments in green power and energy efficiency
- There is need to share the best practices amongst the industry to address operational challenges and a systematic approach to move from pilot stages to commercial deployments.
- The industry emphasised the need for standardization of technology and solutions, especially the control and monitoring solutions, in order to seamlessly integrate into operational systems and processes.
- A win-win business model in energy provision is a must. MNOs/TowerCos and ESCOs need to build strong partnerships along with other stakeholders including technology providers, operations partners and financial institutions to drive energy outsourcing business models with strengthened credibility.