Finnfund’s USD 10 million investment makes telecommunications in Lebanon and Guinea more reliable and energy-efficient

IPT PowerTech Group is an energy solutions provider combining specialized energy-efficient solutions with innovative telecom infrastructure. With financing from Finnfund, DEG, Proparco and European Investment Bank, IPT will modernize the energy supply infrastructure in Lebanon and Guinea. The hybrid solution utilizing solar panels and storage media will save up to 40% of energy and reduce diesel consumption significantly. The annual CO2 emission reductions have been calculated AT 115,000 tons per year.

In emerging economies, the lack of reliable power to cellular tower sites is the single biggest obstacle to reliable mobile phone services. Cellular towers located in areas without access to reliable electricity grids – or any electricity grid at all – have to be powered by diesel generators with high operating costs and environmental impacts.

IPT will make power generation more efficient and more sustainable using solar power and storage media. Batteries will store excess power so that green energy is available at any time of the day.  “Fragile countries and renewable energy solutions are at the core of Finnfund’s strategy”, says Finnfund’s Senior Investment Manager Jussi Ahonen. “Besides the obvious reduction of CO2 emissions, this investment will generate local economic activity and contribute to employment generation.”

Currently, IPT already operates 4,500 telecommunication towers according to the TESCO (Telecom Energy Service Company) model. A further 1,000 towers will be added under the project. Installing and maintaining the energy equipment at thousands of telecom towers is labour-intensive and requires mostly skilled workers, thus generating employment opportunities for local communities.

IPT currently employs 4,500 people, with 1,950 further direct and indirect jobs being created or secured as a result of the forthcoming investment.

More information: Senior Investment Manager Jussi Ahonen, jussi.ahonen (a) finnfund.fi, tel +358 50 566 4653

List of investments in portfolio