As we celebrate Earth Day, it's the right time to reflect on the steps we are taking to protect our planet. At Vodafone Egypt, we know the path to net-zero carbon emissions is complex, but we are committed to navigating it through a clear, practical roadmap by 2035.

Significantly reducing our reliance on diesel-powered generators, deploying energy-efficient technologies, and integrating renewable energy directly into network infrastructure are all steps that can make a meaningful difference.

A major cornerstone of our commitment to relying on clean renewable energy is our long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) with the New and Renewable Energy Authority (NREA). The PPA agreement has enabled us to match 78% of our electricity consumption with renewable sources, with the remainder covered through direct and indirect sources. This achievement means we have met our 2025 goal of matching 100% of our electricity consumption with renewable sources, in addition to recording an overall energy usage consumption reduction of 12 GWh in FY 2025 compared to a 4.5 GWh decrease in the previous year.

On this note, I am proud to announce that our renewable electricity milestone, coupled with several other initiatives we have spearheaded this year, have resulted in a 68% year-on-year reduction in scope 1 & 2 emissions.

One of our most recent and more promising innovations in this space is the integration of solar energy directly into telecom site structures. In collaboration with Ashmand, Vodafone Egypt recently deployed a solar cladding solution on an access site structure – the first of its kind globally. The approach uses lightweight, flexible solar panels, which are 30% lighter than conventional models, integrated within a customized civil structure. This allows for 12 stacked panels to be installed on the palm tree body, an existing telecom site design. This new solution has expanded the number of telecom sites which can be converted to rely on solar energy, expanding our potential solar footprint nationwide.

The benefits of solar cladding are plentiful. Beyond increasing our renewable energy generation to 3.2 kWh, we have observed a 40% decrease in civil construction costs and an approximate 50% reduction in installation time, all while maintaining minimal impact on structural loads. This solution demonstrates how integrating renewable energy can also streamline infrastructure deployment.

The path to net-zero emissions is one that all telecom operators will need to take. However, it is not something we can do in isolation. To achieve sustainability at scale, collaboration between telecom operators, technology providers, and policymakers is needed now more than ever.

The question is not whether the industry will transform, but how quickly and effectively we can make it happen. At Vodafone Egypt, we are committed to leading the way.

Catalin Buliga, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Vodafone Egypt

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