3 days per year. Each tower’s power consumption can vary depending on the number of network operators with BTS located at the site. In India, Bharti Enterprises (owner of Bharti Airtel) notes that “an average mobile tower consumes 96 kilowatts of power daily” and that in areas where electricity is unreliable “diesel consumption can average 24 litres per day”. 205 For reference, the World Bank notes that Myanmar’s per capita power consumption is 160 kilowatts per year. 206 Reliable energy access continues to be a major problem across Myanmar. The World Bank estimates that 70% of Myanmar’s population lacks access to on-grid electricity, 207 while residents of Myanmar’s larger cities where grid power is available continue to experience intermittent power outages due to high demand for electricity. 208 To address the issue of unreliable power, the majority of mobile towers in Myanmar are currently powered by a diesel generator, or by a combination of diesel generator and hybrid electric battery. While both foreign operators allude to sustainable energy usage on their respective websites, specific data regarding current renewable energy usage from Telenor and Ooredoo is not publically available. 209 MPT does not provide information online regarding energy policy, but media reports indicate that in 2014 MPT contracted Vihaan Networks Limited to install 31 solar powered base stations at tower locations located along the Yangon-Mandalay highway. 210 Outside of renewable energy usage, there are additional opportunities to utilise mobile tower power for community-based micro grids. A Yangon based renewable energy expert notes that excess power produced by the diesel generator (potentially 2-3 kilowatts per day) could be utilised for community power while the diesel generator is running, providing community members with the opportunity to power lights or charge mobile devices through connected micro grids. This model has been adapted in India, where a micro grid connected to 40 towers has provided electricity to 30,000 households. 211 Currently there is no grid feed-in tariff that allows tower operators to sell excess energy capacity to the local community or to energy operators. The GSM Association (GSMA) estimates power requirements for Myanmar’s mobile networks will exceed 455 GWh by 2017, compared with 200 GWh in 2015. 212 Additionally, the GSMA estimates that the annual diesel requirement will reach 116 million litres by 2017, resulting in 310,676 tonnes of annual CO2 emissions. 213 In addition to CO2 205 In India, Bharti Enterprises notes that “an average mobile tower consumes 96 Kilowatts of power daily” See Bharti, “How Mobile Towers are Reducing Carbon Footprint” (last accessed August 2015). 206 World Bank, “Project Information Document (Concept Stage): National Electrification Project” (Dec 2014). 207 Ibid, pg 2. 208 The Irrawaddy “Rangoon Power Supplier Blames Rise in Blackouts on High Demand” (May 2015). 209 Ooredoo Myanmar notes “As a socially responsible company we are committed to mitigating the environmental impact of our business activities. Using innovative technologies in rural areas we deploy alternative energies to power our tower sites, using solar energy as an alternative to fuel consumption.” Ooredoo, “Respecting the Environment” (last accessed 25 Aug. 2015). Telenor Myanmar notes it will complete an environmental impact assessment in compliance with Myanmar’s Environmental Act, and that “Telenor is committed to minimising CO2 emissions in Myanmar, such as through the use of solar power, and the ambition will thus be to minimise energy consumption.” Telenor “Environment” (last accessed Aug. 2015). 210 Vihaan Networks Ltd, “Seemless GSM Connectivity for Yangon – Mandalay New Highway” (Feb 2014). 211 The Economist “Could your mobile phone bring you light, too?” (May 2015). 212 GSMA, “Seizing the Opportunity: Green Telecoms in Myanmar” (2014). 213 Ibid. 114 PAGE CHAPTER 3: SECTOR-LEVEL IMPACTS