25th Nov 2021 09:59
(Alliance News) - Helios Towers PLC on Thursday outlined its carbon reduction roadmap with the aim of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2040.
The 2040 target is 10 years earlier than the United Nations' recommended date for net-zero emissions by 2050.
The telecommunications infrastructure firm, which operates mobile phone towers in Africa, said it is targeting to reduce carbon intensity per tenant by 46% by 2030. The target covers Scope 1 and 2 emissions against a 2020 baseline and covers the five markets where the company was operational in 2020.
Scope 1 emissions are direct emission by an organization, while Scope 2 are indirect emissions associated with its purchase of energy.
On its website, Helios says that it operates in six markets, including: Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo Brazzaville, Ghana, South Africa and Senegal.
Meanwhile, in March this year, Helios inked a contract with Airtel Africa PLC to acquire its telecommunications tower companies in Madagascar, Malawi, Chad and Gabon. Under the transaction terms, Airtel Africa's subsidiaries will continue to develop, maintain and operate their equipment on the 2,227 existing sites across the four countries under separate lease arrangements with Helios.
This means that the targeted reduction in carbon intensity per tenant will only apply to half of Helios' extended area of operations.
As part of its efforts, Helios will invest a total of USD100 million between 2022 and 2030 to further its use of renewable energy technology.
"The company's target for 2030 combines both actionable investments and innovation against the backdrop of complex challenges to significantly enhance mobile infrastructure in markets in Sub-Saharan Africa," the company added.
Chief Executive Kash Pandya said: "Over the past five years, we have built a strong team focused on delivering reliable mobile infrastructure across our markets while reducing our dependency on generators. This has been achieved by becoming more efficient, connecting sites to the grid, and using renewable solutions, for example hybrid battery and solar installations."
Helios shares were up 1.6% to 169.00 pence each in London on Thursday morning.
By Greg Roxburgh; [email protected]
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