Aditya Birla Group launches green telecom towers

The Aditya Birla Group through its telecom arm, Idea Cellular Ltd, India’s 3rd largest mobile service provider, by revenue, has been at the forefront of sustainability causes. In yet another initiative, it launched its ‘Green initiative’ in Nagda (MP). Hydrogen, a by-product of the chlor-alkali business, has been utilised to provide uninterrupted power supply to telecom towers, which would otherwise consume diesel to run its generators in the absence of grid supply.

"Fuel cell-based power generation is reliable and efficient, with ‘green’ attributes. As leaders in the hunt for cost-effective substitutes for fossil fuels, we will ensure we will explore all opportunities to enhance our sustainability commitments,” said Mr. Anil Tandan, Chief Technology Officer of Idea Cellular. Chief Economist of the Group, Dr. Ajit Ranade said, “Hydrogen powered telecom towers will be yet another feather in the cap of Aditya Birla Group’s sustainability journey.” Commissioning of thirty 2-kilowatt fuel cell systems will be completed in March.

Fuel cell systems will be deployed at cell tower locations in close proximity to the plant of chemical division, Grasim in Madhya Pradesh. Mr. K. Suresh, Unit Head of chemical division, Grasim said, “This project will be the first-of-its-kind in India and will project the Group as pioneers in green energy initiatives."

John Sheridan, Ballard President and CEO, said, “There is a tremendous opportunity for clean energy solutions in the fast-growing Indian market. This initial deployment with Idea Cellular is an exciting step for us.”

Delta will integrate and install Dantherm Power’s fuel cell systems into a hybrid power solution at Idea Cellular sites and will then provide operational support for these systems under a 10-year service agreement with Idea Cellular.