Summary:
Indus Towers has installed solar power systems across 50,000 telecom sites in India, adding around 300 MW of capacity, and aims to double the number of installations by FY29. By combining solar energy with lithium-ion batteries, smart meters and digital energy management systems, the company reduced diesel consumption by nearly 11 per cent in the first half of FY27. The initiative is being expanded across several states to cut operating costs and emissions, while its energy-management expertise could also support overseas growth in markets such as Zambia and Uganda, where power supply challenges make telecom tower operations expensive.
Indus Towers has deployed solar power systems at 50,000 telecom locations across India, providing approximately 300 megawatts of capacity. The company plans to expand coverage to 100,000 sites by financial year 2028-29 (FY29), with the aim of reducing energy expenditure, minimising diesel dependence and lowering carbon emissions.
The cost benefits are being driven by more than solar installations alone. Indus has integrated renewable energy with high-capacity lithium-ion battery storage, digital energy management platforms and smart meters to improve power consumption across its network. Despite monsoon-related disruptions, adverse weather conditions and electricity outages, the company reduced diesel usage by nearly 11 per cent in the first half of FY27 compared with the corresponding period last year.
Indus stepped up its solar deployment programme in 2024 to ensure renewable energy solutions were economically feasible across its extensive network of geographically dispersed sites. However, factors such as shadows from buildings and tree coverage can restrict installations in densely populated locations. The company has implemented projects across Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, while certain sites in Jammu and Kashmir operate exclusively on solar energy and battery storage.
The programme may also strengthen Indus Towers’ expansion plans in international markets. The company has started earning revenue from its initial tower installations in Zambia and Uganda. It believes its expertise in energy management could provide a competitive cost advantage in Africa, where unreliable electricity supplies and the expense of transporting diesel increase the cost of operating telecom towers.
