British multinational telecommunications company BT has commenced operations at its first self-powered mobile site in Shropshire, UK.

The self-powering mobile site provides 4G and 5G connectivity to EE customers living, working, and traveling in the area.

The site's power requirements will be delivered from renewable energy sources. Approximately 70 percent of its energy needs are expected to be generated by on-site solar and wind installations, accounting for 17,000kWh of renewable energy per year.

The site was selected following an environmental assessment that evaluated its potential for renewable energy generation. Power is supplied through a hybrid solar and wind energy system, which charges batteries used to operate the on-site mast.

If renewable energy sources fall short and the battery is fully depleted, a backup generator fueled by Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) will take over, powering the mast and recharging the batteries.

HVO, is derived from waste and residual oils and is considered a sustainable fuel.

Greg McCall, chief networks officer, BT, said: “It’s paramount that we increase the energy-efficiency of our networks, and so we’re really excited about the potential of self-powering sites in enabling us to meet both our sustainability and connectivity ambitions.”

The site serves as a trial for potential microgrid solutions across the UK. BT has indicated that it has already identified hundreds of additional locations that have the potential to derive much of their power from on-site renewable sources.

BT has signed several renewable energy supply agreements to power its operations over recent years. According to the company, 99.9 percent of the global electricity it purchases is certified renewable.

In April 2023, it signed a 10-year power purchase agreement with the Renewables Infrastructure Group (TRIG) to procure renewable energy from the 35MW Blary Hill onshore wind farm in Kintyre, Scotland on pay-as-produced terms.

The likes of Vodafone, Vantage Towers, O2 Telefónica, Latvian telco LMT, and Telstra have also invested in on-site renewables at tower sites. Ericsson last year set up a 5G site in Texas that is powered by solar energy.