The challenge and what we wanted to achieve 

Helios Towers Ghana operates a national portfolio of 1,100 telecoms tower sites supporting mobile connectivity across the country, hosting network equipment for mobile network operators, including MTN Group, under a shared infrastructure model. These sites relied heavily on grid electricity and diesel generators to meet strict uptime requirements amid frequent grid instability, increasing operational costs and carbon emissions. For Joyce Aba Mensah, Helios’ Head of Projects and Compliance Champion, the company’s solar hybridisation initiative addressed both resilience and sustainability. “Our goal was to harness solar energy to cut emissions, while delivering more resilient, low-carbon connectivity,” she says. Ravi Suchak, Helios’ Group Head of External Affairs, Sustainability and Public Policy, confirms: “By integrating solar at scale, we are proving that resilient connectivity and climate responsibility go hand in hand, delivering lower emissions, reduced costs and stronger network performance for Ghana’s digital future,” he says. 

What we did 

The initiative sought to integrate renewable energy into day-to-day operations, demonstrating that cleaner power solutions could strengthen, rather than compromise, network reliability. This ambition aligned with MTN Group’s purpose while supporting SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). 

Outcomes and impact 

Between 2023 and 2024, Helios Towers Ghana implemented solar hybrid systems across 409 of its tower sites. Cross-functional teams worked with technology partners and local contractors to design systems to maximise daytime energy substitution while maintaining uptime, marking a shift from diesel-led backup power to solar as a primary daytime energy source. 

By July 2025, the programme had generated approximately 1.47 GWh of clean electricity, saving an estimated 50,000 litres of diesel. Performance optimisation, including improved maintenance and panel cleaning, increased average weekly solar output by 27%. 

Lessons learnt 

Reflecting on the results, Aba Mensah noted: “The outcome showed that solar energy can be deployed at scale to strengthen network resilience in grid-constrained areas, while delivering measurable emissions reductions and more consistent service delivery.”