India's telecom’s key role in Zero Carbon Infrastructure Revolution

Mumbai, June 05

As the world observes World Environment Day, India's telecommunications industry stands as a beacon of environmental transformation, demonstrating how digital infrastructure can be both the backbone of economic growth and a catalyst for sustainable development. With 1.2 billion subscribers across the world's 4th largest economy, India's telecom sector is rewriting the global playbook on achieving zero carbon emissions while maintaining 99.95% network uptime across 8.24 lakh towers and 30 lakh base transceiver stations nationwide.

"India's telecommunications infrastructure has evolved from being an energy consumer to becoming an environmental enabler," explains Manoj Kumar Singh, Director General of Digital Infrastructure Providers Association (DIPA). "We're not just connecting people—we're connecting sustainably to every sector of the economy. Our industry's transition to renewable energy isn't just about reducing our own carbon footprint; it's about creating the digital foundation that enables every other industry to achieve their zero emission goals. This World Environment Day, we celebrate how telecommunications has become the invisible green force powering India's sustainable future."

India's telecom sector has achieved what many considered impossible just a decade ago—dramatically reducing environmental impact while exponentially expanding connectivity. The industry currently consumes approximately 70 TWh of energy annually, but its approach to managing this consumption has fundamentally changed. From 90,911 diesel-free sites in December 2016 to an impressive 223,177 by March 2024, the sector has eliminated 550 million liters of annual diesel consumption—equivalent to preventing 1.4 million tons of CO₂ emissions yearly.

The economics tell an equally compelling story. Solar electricity now costs between ₹2.25-₹3.50 per kWh compared to ₹25-₹30 per kWh for diesel generation, creating 15-20% operational expense savings at clean energy sites. With energy representing 30% of network operational costs, these savings fund further sustainability investments whil

Currently operating 23,000 solar-powered sites nationwide, the telecom industry is preparing for unprecedented expansion. The sector plans to install approximately 1,250 MW of solar capacity through group captive power plants, backed by ₹5,000 crore in committed investments. This initiative will substitute 70% of electricity board consumption with solar power, fundamentally transforming the industry's energy profile.

The timing aligns perfectly with India's renewable energy renaissance. The country added a record 29.52 GW of renewable capacity in the last fiscal year, bringing total installed capacity to 220.10 GW—steadily advancing toward the ambitious 500 GW target by 2030 under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's 'Panchamrit' commitments.

India's supportive regulatory environment has become the cornerstone of the telecom sector's sustainability revolution. The Green Energy Open Access (GEOA) rules, notified on June 6, 2022, along with their strategic 2023 amendments, have fundamentally transformed how telecom companies access renewable energy. These progressive policies enable seamless integration of clean energy through open access mechanisms, allowing telecom operators to source renewable power directly from generators while bypassing traditional grid limitations. The industry acknowledges and celebrates this transformative policy support from the Government of India, which has unlocked unprecedented opportunities for accessing renewable energy at scale.

Advanced energy storage technologies are revolutionizing renewable energy viability for telecom infrastructure. The latest lithium-ferro-phosphate (LFP) batteries offer 3,500 discharge cycles—a 40% improvement over previous generations—making renewable energy storage economically attractive for 24/7 operations. With India's industrial battery market projected to grow from USD 758.30 million in 2024 to USD 1,176.40 million by 2033, the foundation exists for massive clean energy deployment.

India's telecommunications infrastructure serves as the central nervous system enabling other industries to achieve their own sustainability goals. From IoT-enabled precision agriculture that reduces water consumption by 31% while increasing yields by 28%, to smart city systems that cut urban emissions by 34% through intelligent traffic management, telecom infrastructure multiplies environmental benefits across the entire economy.

As India ranks third globally in renewable energy capacity while maintaining the world's most extensive telecom network, the nation demonstrates that environmental responsibility and technological advancement are not competing priorities but complementary forces. The industry's commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070, aligned with national climate goals, positions India as the global exemplar of sustainable digital infrastructure development.

This World Environment Day, India's telecommunications sector celebrates not just its own environmental achievements, but its role as the enabling infrastructure for a sustainable digital economy. As other nations grapple with balancing connectivity needs and environmental responsibilities, India has proven that ambitious sustainability goals and world-class digital infrastructure can advance together—creating a model for the global telecommunications industry to follow.

EoM.