GE Energy Story and telecommunications company, a subsidiary of General Electric, today signed a Kshs 100,000,000 deal with Safaricom. GE will be supplying Safaricom with 48 GE Durathon batteries. This allows Safaricom’s network to run efficiently even during power outages.
Durathon batteries have been created to reduced fuel costs for the telecommunications sector. Running at 48V, the batteries are ideal for power backup in the urban centers. Individual Durathon battery modules don’t take up space and are less attractive to thieves who target consumer electronics. As a primary source of energy in CDC (charge-discharge-cycling) mode, batteries improve overall system efficiency by reducing emissions and fuel costs. “The introduction of using this technology re-affirms our strong commitment to lowering our carbon footprint through efficient consumption of energy by exploring alternative energy solutions and improving overall QoS through innovation,” says Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore.
The country’s economy is growing rapidly and the government’s adoption of Vision 2030 requires an enabling environment for sustainable growth. “To support sustainable growth, we need to adopt innovative ways to overcome inhibiting challenges such as interrupted power supply. The GE Durathon battery will achieve just that for Safaricom and its customers,” said GE President and CEO for Africa, Jay Ireland.
Speaking at the same event, Director General of Vision 2030’S Mugo Kibati said, “Today marks a key milestone that will change the face of Kenya’s telecommunications industry. Safaricom continues to be a trend setter in improving our connectivity and ensuring that we are on par with the best in the world. Other African telecommunications companies can learn a lot from Safaricom on how to circumvent challenges that negatively impact their ability to grow.”
