NCC Commences Campaign On Clean Energy In Telecoms Industry

To lower carbon emissions coming from the industry, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is taking intentional initiatives toward the deployment of sustainable energy.

Barr Adeleke Adewolu, executive commissioner of the commission for stakeholder management, stated that the commission is dedicated to minimizing the effects that telecommunications operations have on the environment and climate change. He noted that the peculiarities of Nigeria’s electricity supply have made the telecommunications sector a contributor to carbon emissions.

Adewolu stated that studies have shown that renewables and energy efficiency, supported by significant electrification, can provide over 90% of the necessary reductions in energy-related carbon emissions. He was speaking about the arrangements to host an event to mark the 2023 World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD) in Abuja with a focus on its regulatory initiatives on clean energy usage in the telecoms sector.

According to him, the greatest way to quicken the global energy transition is to consume more power produced by renewable sources.

The executive vice chairman and chief executive officer, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, spoke on behalf of the commissioner and said that the topic of the event is particularly appropriate this year since “we know the implications of the climate change calamity confronting the globe.

Hence, the commission is dedicated to minimizing the effects of climate change. The telecom industry adds to global emissions, especially when you consider that there are approximately 54,000 base transmitter stations that are sometimes powered by generators around-the-clock. Just think of the pollution this would produce.

As part of its commitment to protecting the environment for customers and other telecom service users, the Commission, he said, was already considering creating a policy to promote ethical energy sources. This action would also be in line with the process of implementing some of the core SDGs (SDGs).

The commission has continued to promote consumer protection and enlightenment in what has become a tradition since it proclaimed 2017 as the Year of the Telecom Consumers and honored telecom consumers by tying in with the global theme for the commemoration to celebrate the day with landmark activities.

“Empowering Consumers via Clean Energy Transitions” is the Day’s theme for 2023.

The commission, according to the executive commissioner, has recently instituted a regulatory framework on infrastructure-sharing and collocation among licensees. He said that this framework has pushed operators to fully use their already-deployed infrastructure.

Some operators may avoid completely constructing a telecom site in an area where another provider has already established one by sharing infrastructure. Due to Nigeria’s poor public energy supply, telecom businesses must use diesel-powered generators to keep their telecom facilities operational 24 hours a day. Yet in this case, a legal framework like infrastructure collocation and sharing is helpful, he added.

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