European cell tower operator Vantage Towers has deployed solar systems at hundreds of tower sites in the Czech Republic (aka Czechia).

“In the Czech Republic, we’ve rolled out solar systems across more than 400 ground-based tower sites, one of the largest renewable deployments in the sector!” the company said on LinkedIn this week. “The energy produced is used directly on site, helping us to rely less on the grid, lower emissions, and make our infrastructure more resilient.”

Vantage said the deployments are saving the company 1,100MWh each year and avoiding 449 tons of CO2 annually.

Vodafone spun off its European tower assets as Vantage Towers in 2020. Vantage Towers operates 84,600 towers across 10 European markets, including the UK, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Romania, and Greece.

Despite a higher efficiency, 5G equipment is more energy-hungry than previous wireless technology – and requires more cell sites – meaning towers hosting telecoms gear require more power than ever. As a result, many telcos and tower companies are turning to on-site power generation to reduce costs and dependency on the grid. Operators including Vodafone, Telstra, Deutsche Telekom, Telefónica, Latvia’s LMT, Ethio Telecom, and Malaysia’s EdgePoint are investing in projects.

Vantage has previously announced plans to install 750 wind turbines on 52 of its cell towers in Germany. It has previously said it aims to use hydrogen at its cell sites, and has tested aluminum air backup systems developed by Phinergy.

The company has also deployed its solar and battery system at an off-grid cell site in Ermida Sertä, Portugal. ESG reports from the company suggest on-site solar has been deployed at cell sites in Spain and Greece.

In Ireland, Vantage and its parent company, Vodafone, have previously signed a Corporate Power Purchase Agreement (CPPA) with Flogas Ireland. Vantage said Flogas sites, such as the Derrynadivva Windfarm, are responsible for powering more than 1,400 towers across the country.

Vodafone has previously signed PPAs in the UK, Germany, Spain, and Portugal with the likes of RWE, Iberdrola, Centrica, and Mytilineos. Vantage Towers says all its operations are offset with 100 percent renewable energy and is targeting net zero by 2040.

Vantage is also exploring developing cell towers made out of wood.