Solar panels at an ATC wireless site in Kenya – part of a continent-wide push that’s nearly halved generator use and helped cut emissions by 21%.
By Staff Writer
In a continent where power reliability is often as scarce as reliable internet, American Tower Corporation (ATC) is proving that growth in digital infrastructure doesn’t have to come at the planet’s expense. The company, which operates over 3,500 wireless communications sites in Kenya alone, has slashed greenhouse gas emissions across its African operations by an impressive 21 percent – thanks to a bold shift towards solar-powered infrastructure.
The results, recently published in ATC’s 2022 sustainability report, show a continent-wide transformation driven by clean energy. Since 2019, the number of hours its tower sites rely on on-site solar power has nearly doubled. In stark contrast, the hours diesel generators run to power the sites have dropped by half.
“As a global leader in digital infrastructure, we are very much committed to reducing the GHG emissions associated with our business,” said Marek Busfy, CEO of American Tower Africa. “Our efforts are geared to make an impact on our continent and allow us to demonstrate our reduction progress, regardless of our significant organic growth – particularly here, where connectivity is increasingly vital but power availability is recurrently uncertain.”
In regions where telecom towers often rely on diesel to function amid grid instability, this move is significant. ATC estimates its shift toward on-site solar and other cleaner sources has cut diesel consumption by 43.5 million liters annually – preventing the release of approximately 117,000 metric tons of CO₂ equivalents (MTCO2e) into the atmosphere. That’s the equivalent of taking over 25,000 cars off the road each year.
Since 2018, the company has invested over $300 million globally in greenhouse gas and energy reduction initiatives—much of which has been directed toward Africa. The results speak volumes: ATC’s on-site renewable energy capacity now exceeds 85 megawattsacross15,000 sites worldwide, with many of the solar-first innovations trialed and scaled in African markets.
“In Africa, the intersection of unreliable grids and rising connectivity needs presents a unique challenge,” said Pieter Van Der Westhuizen, ATC’s Chief Technology Officer for Africa. “We’ve had to be innovative—reducing our fossil fuel consumption while still meeting the skyrocketing demand for mobile and internet access.”
In Kenya, one of ATC’s most active markets, the sustainability push extends beyond just energy. Employees have undergone specialized training on hazardous materials – learning safe handling procedures and environmental protocols. The company says this environmental awareness is being embedded into the operational DNA of its African teams.
Globally, the company reported an 11 percent drop in direct emissions across its226,000 communications sites. But perhaps nowhere is the impact more profound, or more urgently needed, than in Africa.
