After the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) issued guidelines to promote the use of green technology in the telecom sector, the Tower and Infrastructure Providers’ Association (TAIPA) has taken the next step.
As per TRAI?s guidelines, at least 50 per cent of towers and 20 per cent of urban towers are to be powered by hybrid energy sources (renewable and grid) by 2015. This is aimed at reducing carbon emissions due to increased dependence on diesel.
In this context, TAIPA is reportedly planning to launch a request for proposal (RFP) for NGOs and private green power companies to generate and supply off-grid power to telecom towers.
To simplify the process, TAIPA has suggested implementing the RESCO off-grid distribution model where renewable energy companies can set up renewable energy-based power plants near the towers and sell power to the telecom company at a predetermined price.
