By Adeleye Adegun,Abuja
Telecommunications operators worldwide consumed approximately 290 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity in 2023—accounting for nearly one per cent of global electricity use—as data traffic and artificial intelligence (AI) adoption continue to accelerate energy needs in the digital ecosystem.
This is according to the GSMA’s latest Mobile Net Zero 2025: State of the Industry on Climate Action report, which revealed that the sector’s energy use has risen 12 per cent since 2019, largely fuelled by surging demand in China, where power consumption grew by nearly 30 per cent within the same period.
The report noted that the electricity consumed covered all facets of operations including mobile and fixed networks, data centres, office spaces, retail outlets, electric vehicle fleets, and other auxiliary services.
Regionally, Greater China emerged as the largest consumer, accounting for 40 per cent of the global telco electricity demand in 2023, followed by Asia Pacific (18 per cent), North America (13 per cent), and Europe (12 per cent).
Globally, telecom connections increased by 11 per cent between 2019 and 2023, pushing the average electricity use per connection to 30 kilowatt-hours (kWh). On average, a mobile connection consumed 25kWh, while fixed broadband connections used about 50kWh.
North America recorded the highest electricity use per connection at 60kWh, trailed by Greater China (47kWh) and Europe (39kWh). In contrast, Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)—with limited 5G deployment and minimal fixed broadband infrastructure—averaged just 5kWh per connection.
However, GSMA noted that these figures excluded electricity generated via on-site diesel generators, which remain a critical energy source in many parts of Africa. In 2023 alone, mobile operators in SSA generated about 2TWh from diesel generators, while tower companies accounted for an additional 5TWh—bringing average energy use per connection in the region to around 12kWh.
The report also highlighted that energy usage trends vary across countries and regions. Since 2019, energy consumption per connection has dropped by more than 10 per cent in Europe, North America, Latin America, and SSA, while China recorded a 12 per cent increase.
These discrepancies, GSMA explained, stem from both technical and geographic factors such as network density, deployment models, topography, and population distribution. For example, operators with widespread 5G infrastructure—especially those relying on mid-band spectrum—typically consume more energy due to network densification requirements.
The report concluded that as telcos ramp up their AI capabilities and expand network infrastructure, especially for 5G and data centres, sustainable energy practices will become increasingly crucial to curb emissions and reduce operational costs.
