Intelligent Energy, a UK-based fuel cell manufacturer has signed an agreement with Microqual Techno Limited in India to trial the use of fuel cell generators to support mobile networks and broadband in the Indian telecom industry.
Peter Brown, Managing Director of Stationary Power at Intelligent Energy said the partnership would “deliver innovative and cost-effective ways to manage and accelerate the future growth of telecoms in India”.
Microqual has use of the transmission tower infrastructure in the regions of Punjab, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and is planning to deploy the infrastructure across these areas to around 85 000 towers.
Currently reliant on diesel generators for back up or even primary power, the deal with Intelligent Energy is to explore the possibility of switching to fuel cells.
Mahesh Choudhary, Chief Executive of Microqual, said that making use of existing power infrastructure, while also providing reliable distributed power, would help accelerate the roll out of mobile phone coverage in India.
