BT Group has launched its first self-powering mobile site in the Shropshire Hills, drawing approximately 70% of its energy from on-site solar panels and a wind turbine. The site provides 4G and 5G connectivity to EE customers living, working, and traveling in the rural area. This project aims to showcase the potential of renewable energy for mobile network infrastructure. The remaining power requirements are covered by a generator running on Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), a sustainable biofuel derived from waste oils.
The site is expected to generate around 17,000 kWh of clean energy annually, enough to power 100,000 hot showers, and save BT Group over £10,000 in energy costs. This trial location is part of a broader plan to identify hundreds of potential sites where renewable energy could be deployed, particularly in coastal and hilly regions. The project aligns with BT Group’s ambition to become a net-zero business by 2031, prioritizing energy efficiency in its network operations, which account for 89% of its total energy use.
• Location: Shropshire Hills, UK
• 70% of power generated by on-site solar and wind
• Generator powered by Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil for backup
• Annual renewable energy production: 17,000 kWh
• Expected cost savings: £10,000+
• Future deployment: hundreds of identified sites
• BT Group’s net-zero goal: 2031
