:Business Times: Published: 2010/03/18
NOKIA Siemens Networks Malaysia said the government should take the lead and get telecommunication companies to equip their transmission towers with renewable power sources.
This is in line with the government's commitment to reduce the country's carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions to 40 per cent by 2020.
"Alongside the government, we strongly believe the telecommunications industry is uniquely placed to drive this," said Nokia Siemens Malaysia chairman Tan Sri Rainer Althoff.
The biggest environmental impact in a telecommunications network is energy consumption, which typically accounts for around 80 per cent of the total energy consumed, and up to 30 per cent of overall energy cost.
This means that telcos that invest in energy efficient technologies are not only able to reduce CO2 emissions but also make higher profits with lower energy spending.
"A key move would be for the government to encourage new off-grid base stations deployed in Malaysia from 2011 be based on renewable energy sources versus fossil fuel," he said.
Althoff told this to reporters at Nokia Siemens EnergiSmart Eco-Adventure Day - Greening Malaysia's Telecommunications Industry event in Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan, on Tuesday.
At present, Malaysia has about 20,000 base stations nationwide, powered by diesel generators.
"If 5 per cent were to use renewable energy, it would be a good start," Althoff said, noting that it is important that the government comes up with a policy to "force" telco players to invest in green technology.
With the expectation that electricity costs will shoot up by around 55 per cent in the next five years, telcos must cut their reliance on non-renewable energy resources.
In recognition of this, Althoff said the company is committed to improve the efficiency of its base stations products by up to 40 per cent by 2012.
Nokia Siemens aims to use renewable energy like wind and solar power to be the first choice for all remote base station sites by next year.
"A low carbon economy not only benefits the environment, but also feasible and holds great potential for sustainable growth in all industries," he said.
Recently, Digi Telecommunications Sdn Bhd announced it would invest up to RM100 million in its Deep Green programme to reduce CO2 emission by 50 per cent within four years.
Singapore's MobileOne also made a commitment to reduce its telecommunications network carbon print by 35 per cent by early 2011.
This is in line with the government's commitment to reduce the country's carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions to 40 per cent by 2020.
"Alongside the government, we strongly believe the telecommunications industry is uniquely placed to drive this," said Nokia Siemens Malaysia chairman Tan Sri Rainer Althoff.
The biggest environmental impact in a telecommunications network is energy consumption, which typically accounts for around 80 per cent of the total energy consumed, and up to 30 per cent of overall energy cost.
"A key move would be for the government to encourage new off-grid base stations deployed in Malaysia from 2011 be based on renewable energy sources versus fossil fuel," he said.
Althoff told this to reporters at Nokia Siemens EnergiSmart Eco-Adventure Day - Greening Malaysia's Telecommunications Industry event in Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan, on Tuesday.
At present, Malaysia has about 20,000 base stations nationwide, powered by diesel generators.
"If 5 per cent were to use renewable energy, it would be a good start," Althoff said, noting that it is important that the government comes up with a policy to "force" telco players to invest in green technology.
With the expectation that electricity costs will shoot up by around 55 per cent in the next five years, telcos must cut their reliance on non-renewable energy resources.
In recognition of this, Althoff said the company is committed to improve the efficiency of its base stations products by up to 40 per cent by 2012.
Nokia Siemens aims to use renewable energy like wind and solar power to be the first choice for all remote base station sites by next year.
"A low carbon economy not only benefits the environment, but also feasible and holds great potential for sustainable growth in all industries," he said.
Recently, Digi Telecommunications Sdn Bhd announced it would invest up to RM100 million in its Deep Green programme to reduce CO2 emission by 50 per cent within four years.
Singapore's MobileOne also made a commitment to reduce its telecommunications network carbon print by 35 per cent by early 2011.
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