Tower sites were developed in different ways depending on local conditions. Some sites depended mostly on grid power, some relied heavily on diesel generators, while others used a mix of batteries and backup systems. In most cases, these decisions were taken to deal with immediate issues such as frequent power cuts or delays in grid upgrades, rather than as part of a long-term energy plan. While this approach supported rapid network expansion, it also resulted in tower portfolios with very different power configurations, making monitoring and maintenance more complex.
Tower companies today are managing very large portfolios, often running into tens of thousands of sites. At the same time, traffic levels have increased and networks have become denser. Expectations around uptime have also gone up. In this environment, even short power disruptions can affect service quality. As a result, energy management has become about keeping power systems stable and consistent across a large number of sites.
Energy management
Most telecom tower sites operate using a combination of grid power, batteries and diesel generators. Grid electricity is generally the preferred source, but its reliability still varies across locations. Generators are still used, but they are no longer switched on immediately when the grid fails. Instead, batteries are used first to support the site. Diesel generators are started only when battery backup is close to being exhausted. This reduces diesel consumption, lowers maintenance requirements and reduces the number of refuelling visits.
Renewable energy adoption at tower sites follows the same practical approach. Uptime remains critical, so renewable sources are added carefully. Solar power is the most commonly used renewable option, especially at semi-urban and rural sites. Rather than running sites entirely on solar power, the energy generated is used to support operations and charge batteries, helping maintain stability when grid conditions worsen.
Initiatives by towercos
Indus Towers
Indus Towers has focused on strengthening its energy strategy through a mix of operational upgrades, renewable investments and targeted research initiatives. At the site level, the company continued to transition its battery portfolio to lithium-ion (Li-ion) technology. Alongside this, the company has been shifting to lighter tower variants, which has helped lower civil construction requirements and reduce overall material and product costs.
Renewable energy adoption is another key area of focus. Indus Towers has taken an investment-led approach to securing clean power by acquiring a 26 per cent stake in JSW Green Energy Eight Limited, a special purpose vehicle focused on solar power generation. The investment, valued at about Rs 380.4 million, is aimed at ensuring long-term access to renewable energy for its operations.
The company has also signed an agreement with IIT Bombay to work on two sustainability-focused projects. One initiative looks at advancing perovskite solar cell technology to achieve higher efficiency without increasing costs, while the second explores converting agricultural waste such as rice straw into materials for sodium-ion batteries as an alternative to Li-ion storage.
As of September 30, 2025, Indus operated around 36,113 solar-powered sites across its network and about 61,829 low-diesel consumption sites.
GTL Infrastructure
GTL Infrastructure has been focusing on improving energy efficiency at its tower sites through targeted investments in power systems, batteries and site electrification. These initiatives are aimed at reducing diesel consumption, lowering operating costs and improving the overall reliability of site operations. GTL Infrastructure electrified 37 tower sites in 2024-25, which helped reduce dependence on diesel generators at these locations. Alongside this, the company continued to invest in battery banks as part of its energy conservation efforts. The company also reported steady growth in the number of green sites across its network. The count of green sites increased from 2,987 in 2023-24 to 3,555 in 2024-25, reflecting continued progress in adopting cleaner and more efficient energy practices at tower locations.
Cooling efficiency is another area of attention. At select sites, the company has introduced natural cooling techniques that take advantage of favourable ambient temperatures. By reducing reliance on conventional air-conditioning systems, these sites are able to lower energy consumption while still maintaining suitable operating conditions for telecom equipment. Battery technology upgrades form an important part of the company’s energy strategy. GTL Infrastructure is rolling out valve-regulated lead-acid (VLRA)-based high-temperature cyclic batteries designed to operate reliably in high-temperature environments. These batteries help reduce overall power demand and improve backup performance under challenging site conditions.
The deployment of generator control units (GCUs) has also played a significant role in reducing diesel usage. In 2024-25, GCUs were newly installed at 1,969 sites, up from 1,367 sites in the previous year. In addition, 418 GCUs were refurbished or upgraded during the year, compared to 298 in 2023-24. These systems help optimise generator operation and limit unnecessary runtime.
To further reduce diesel dependence, GTL Infrastructure is improving grid access through its feeder conversion project. This initiative focuses on enhancing grid connectivity to tower sites, enabling more reliable electricity supply and supporting the transition towards cleaner and more stable power sources across the network.
Ascend Telecom
Ascend Telecom’s energy initiatives have focused on reducing dependence on diesel generators while strengthening site reliability through better use of batteries and alternative power configurations. A key priority for Ascend has been the roll-out of non‑diesel generator (DG) sites. By increasing the number of locations that can operate without DGs, the company is working to cut fossil fuel usage and lower operating costs. As of the latest reporting period, around 31.71 per cent of Ascend’s sites are operating as non‑DG sites. Battery storage plays a central role in this transition. Ascend has been deploying high‑performance and high‑efficiency battery systems across its network to support non‑DG operations and manage power availability more effectively. Around 19.25 per cent of sites are now equipped with high‑efficiency lithium‑ion batteries, while the share of high‑density battery deployments has increased by about 27.26 per cent of the total site count.
The company has also adopted a structured approach to battery life-cycle management. Battery banks that have completed their operational life or are eligible for material replacement are assessed carefully. Battery cells that remain in workable condition are redeployed at other sites, while nonuseable cells are disposed of through authorised vendors. This process helps optimise asset usage while ensuring compliance with safety and environmental norms.
Summit Digitel
Summit Digitel’s energy strategy is built around simplicity in site design and reduced reliance on diesel from the outset. All of the company’s tower sites are deployed as outdoor installations, which eliminates the need for air-conditioning by design and significantly lowers energy consumption compared to shelter-based sites. The company is also progressively replacing conventional VLRA batteries with Li-ion batteries.
It is also working to reduce dependence on diesel generators by improving grid connectivity. Non-energy bank (non-grid) sites are being systematically converted to energy bank (grid-connected) sites wherever feasible. In addition, the use of wide-voltage-range and efficient switched-mode power supply systems allows sites to continue operating on grid power even during low voltage conditions, reducing unnecessary switching to diesel backup.
Further, optimisation is being achieved through adaptive charging features in diesel generator systems. By optimising charging behaviour, Summit Digitel has been able to reduce the required DG capacity at sites, contributing to lower fuel consumption and improved operational efficiency. Renewable energy adoption has also been prioritised. Through its operating partner, the company has implemented solar power as an alternative energy source across a growing number of tower sites. Many locations are now supported by solar cells, which has reduced diesel dependence and improved site availability. This approach aligns with customer requirements for higher uptime while keeping energy use and emissions under control.
Conclusion
The most important change in the tower sector today is how energy is being looked at and managed. Power is no longer treated as a background requirement handled separately at individual sites. It has become a core part of operations, with a direct impact on uptime, operating costs and long-term sustainability. This shift is pushing tower companies to rethink how energy systems are designed and run across large, diverse portfolios, rather than relying on site-by-site fixes.
Looking ahead, this approach will only grow in importance. As 5G networks continue to densify and early planning for 6G begins, tower sites will face higher equipment loads and tighter expectations around availability. These changes will place additional pressure on energy systems. The steps being taken now to standardise energy management, improve efficiency and reduce reliance on diesel will be critical in supporting future network requirements and keeping operations stable at scale.
