Carbon Reduction Roadmap

RNS Number : 5230T

Helios Towers PLC

25 November 2021

 

Helios Towers plc

("Helios Towers", "the Group" or "the Company")

Carbon Reduction Roadmap

Target to reduce carbon intensity per tenant by 46% by 2030

Ambition to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2040

Company will invest a total of US$100m between 2022 and 2030 to further utilise renewable energy solutions

London, 25 November 2021 - Helios Towers, the independent telecommunications infrastructure company, today announces that it has set a target to reduce its carbon intensity per tenant by 46% by 2030. The target covers Scope 1 and 2 emissions against a 2020 baseline and covers the five markets where the Company was operational in 2020. This 2030 target translates into maintaining absolute emissions at 2020 levels despite significant growth anticipated to support mobile operators' improved telecommunications coverage over the coming years. As Helios Towers expands into new markets and collects operational data for a full year, the Company will review the baseline for the target.

The Company's target for 2030 combines both actionable investments and innovation against the backdrop of complex challenges to significantly enhance mobile infrastructure in markets in Sub-Saharan Africa where unique mobile subscriber penetration is still below 50%¹ and also where access to electricity is limited, unreliable and in some areas non-existent. The Company is pledging to invest a total of US$100 million between 2022 and 2030 to reduce its reliance on generators and use more efficient, greener solutions.

Helios Towers' long-term ambition is to become a net zero carbon emissions business by 2040.

Kash Pandya, Chief Executive Officer, stated:

"Reducing our carbon footprint is a challenge we take incredibly seriously. Over the past five years, we have built a strong team focused on delivering reliable mobile infrastructure across our markets while reducing our dependency on generators. This has been achieved by becoming more efficient, connecting sites to the grid, and using renewable solutions, for example hybrid battery and solar installations. Now, we are taking this work further by setting specific carbon intensity targets, developing a roadmap towards net zero emissions, and investing in our markets for a more sustainable future."

Emissions information and disclosure is provided in the 2020 Sustainable Business Report . The next report will be published in March 2022.

For further information go to:

www.heliostowers.com

¹ GSMA, "The Mobile Economy Sub-Saharan Africa", 2021

Investor Relations

Chris Baker-Sams - Head of Strategic Finance and Investor Relations

[phone]

Media relations

Edward Bridges / Stephanie Ellis

FTI Consulting LLP

[phone]

Helios Towers' management will host a conference call at 09.30 GMT, Thursday, 25 November. For the best user experience, please access the conference via the webcast. You can pre-register and access the event using the link below:

Registration Link - Helios Towers Carbon Roadmap Presentation

Event Name: CARBONROADMAP

Password: HELIOS

If you intend to participate in Q&A during the call or are unable to use the webcast, please dial in using the details below:

Europe & International	[phone]
South Africa (local)	087 550 8441
USA (local)	+ 1 646 664 1960
Passcode:	076055

About Helios Towers

· Helios Towers is a leading independent telecommunications infrastructure company, having established one of the most extensive tower portfolios across Africa. It builds, owns and operates telecom passive infrastructure, providing services to mobile network operators.

· Helios Towers owns and operates telecommunication tower sites in Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo Brazzaville, Ghana, South Africa, Senegal and Madagascar. Following recent acquisition agreements and subject to regulatory approval, Helios Towers expects to establish a presence in four new markets across Africa and the Middle-East over the next six months. Including these acquisitions and committed BTS, the Group's total site count is expected to increase from over 9,000 towers to almost 15,000.

· Helios Towers pioneered the model in Africa of buying towers that were held by single operators and providing services utilising the tower infrastructure to the seller and other operators. This allows wireless operators to outsource non-core tower-related activities, enabling them to focus their capital and managerial resources on providing higher quality services more cost-effectively.

 

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