Angola’s Mobile Company Partners with Huawei for Green Energy Solutions

Angolan cell phone company Unitel has signed a deal with Chinese tech giant Huawei for the deployment and integration of green power generation systems for its network. The initiative will help Unitel to reduce the use of diesel generators and optimize the sustainability of their services.

The Luanda-based mobile company will work with Huawei to build a target network of green energy that is environmentally friendly and has a low carbon footprint. Huawei advocates the use of renewable energy, like solar, for telecommunications. The project involves Huawei redesigning Unitel’s network by deploying solar PV systems and lithium batteries.

Unitel is exploring technical and business solutions to advance plans for sustainable development, especially regarding low-carbon energy. Working with Huawei allows Unitel to establish green networks with minimal operational expenditure (OPEX), consequently driving Angola’s socio-economic development.

The low-carbon technologies are expected to reduce the time spent by Unitel’s crews on diesel generators by up to 75% and its operating costs by 40%. Huawei’s work will allow Unitel to optimize the energy efficiency of its network and improve its service availability.

Referring to the Huawei’s work, José Mavungo, Director of the Maintenance Department at Unitel, said, “This will be reflected in new services such as domestic broadband and the 5G strategy (the fifth generation of standards for mobile telephony, editor’s note), as well as the fixed network to reduce energy investments and the challenges brought by these new services.”

Sean Xiao, Huawei’s Director of Strategy for North Africa, commented, “Telecommunication operators alone already account for 2% of total global energy demand. In addition, increased energy consumption means more CO2 emissions, which has a significant impact on global climate change. Digital innovations must serve Africa’s energy transition.” 

Huawei also plans to deploy the green energy solution in other African countries, as well. The company is helping its partners to expand modernized, green energy solutions through its “Green site, Green network and Green operation” solution – a green network solution to optimize energy efficiency for carriers.

Huawei aims to increase their network range while decreasing energy consumption per bit. The Chinese tech giant is deploying energy solutions with strong integration and AI capabilities.