Telecommunications group Telkom has installed another 1 MWp of grid-tied PV technology at its Telkom Park head office in Centurion, bringing the total installed PV capacity to 4.2 MWp.

This as Telkom continues to deploy green energy solutions to support an always-on network, and reduce its dependency on high-cost, non-renewable energy solutions, says Telkom subsidiary Gyro capital projects executive Koenehelo Thejane.

The Telkom Park and Bellville, in the Western Cape, complex installations comprise 2 000 PV panels, each rated at 540 W, strategically placed on rooftops and ground parking areas and all regulated by 12 Huawei inverters.

These installations will primarily support the direct current power requirements of Telkom’s telecommunications equipment, reducing reliance on diesel generators during power outages.

This forms part of Telkom's multiyear plan to deploy 3 MWp of solar PV capacity, combined with battery storage, to over 1 000 electronic telecommunication exchanges across South Africa.

Telkom's solar PV projects represent a key component of a comprehensive energy strategy built on three pillars, namely network energy resilience, operational efficiency and environmental, social and governance goals.

Further, the Telkom Park installation adheres to the City of Tshwane's small-scale embedded generation requirements, including safety features that prevent feeding electricity back into the grid during loadshedding.

The grid-tied solar installations contribute to Scope 1 and 2 carbon emission reductions, aligning with the company’s yearly 4.2% science-based targets initiative emission reduction target.

Telkom’s environmental targets include achieving carbon neutrality by 2035 and net-zero emissions by 2040.

“Our commitment to sustainability goes beyond mere environmental responsibility. It is about creating shared value for all stakeholders. We are delivering a better life for all today for a more sustainable tomorrow,” Thejane concludes.