Banglalink has become the first mobile network operator in Bangladesh to integrate solar energy into a data centre, installing an 80KW solar power system at its Gazipur facility.

The move represents a significant step toward sustainable energy use in the telecom sector and supports the company’s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint and environmental impact.

The system is expected to generate about 0.13 gigawatt-hours of clean energy annually, reducing carbon emissions by around 60 tonnes and saving an estimated US$12,600 in energy costs each year, the company said in a press release.

The installation makes use of 9,000 square feet of previously unused rooftop space. Banglalink said the project costs will be recovered through operational savings and energy efficiency, with plans to expand solar adoption to other sites.

By adopting solar power, the operator aligns itself with the Bangladesh Energy Efficiency and Conservation Masterplan 2030 and international sustainability standards, while ensuring regulatory compliance for future energy and environmental requirements.

“This installation sets a national benchmark for sustainable innovation in the telecom sector and shows how digital infrastructure and sustainability can coexist,” said Huseyin Turker, chief technology and information officer of Banglalink.

The initiative positions Banglalink as a pioneer in sustainable telecom operations, combining business value with positive environmental outcomes.