Perhaps for the first time in the country, a pilot project using biofuels to power the mobile network will be implemented in Pune region. The first phase of the project that began three months back, is expected to go on stream by middle of this year and at least 20 base stations will be powered by biofuel.

A joint project between mobile service provider Idea Cellular, cellphone manufacturer Ericsson and the global trade association for mobile operators, GSM Association, it aims to increase mobile outreach to rural India that has seen low penetration due to power shortage.

“We are in talks with some local biofuel producers and trying to establish a supply chain with local farmers producing crops for the fuel,” Ericsson India vice-president (Marketing and Strategy) P Balaji said. Currently, areas having no electrical grids are being powered by diesel.

“We have found an economically viable solution. Cost is not the main project driver and costs may vary considerably by crop and region. Cottonseed, pongamia, jatropha and neem are all being researched as a potential source for biofuel,” GSMA Development Fund manager Dawn Hartley said in an email reply from Barcelona.

However, sources said in all probability jatropha would be used as the raw material. “Ericsson is going to provide the technology for making biofuel to the local farmers,” they said. Biofuel has several advantages over conventional diesel as a power source like creating employment for local people, cutting cost and generating eco-friendly energy. It also reduces carbon dioxide emission by 80 per cent and extends the life of the base station generators.

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