Banglalink deploys 50kW rooftop solar array at Cumilla data center in Bangladesh

Veon-owned Bangladeshi telecommunications operator Banglalink has commissioned a 50kW rooftop solar array at its data center in Cumilla, a city in eastern Bangladesh, as part of a broader push to cut grid dependence and lower carbon emissions across its network infrastructure.

The solar installation occupies 2,500 square feet (232 square meters) of previously unused rooftop space and is expected to generate approximately 85,000kWh of electricity annually. According to the company, this will reduce the facility's grid electricity consumption by around six percent, while also cutting carbon emissions by roughly 52 tons per year.

The Cumilla deployment marks the latest step in Banglalink's renewable energy strategy, following the completion of an 80kW solar array at its data center in Gazipur last year. The company says it was the first telecom operator in Bangladesh to deploy on-site solar power at one of its data center facilities, underscoring the sector's growing interest in distributed generation as a way to manage energy costs and meet sustainability targets.

"By integrating solar power into our critical operations, we are reducing emissions, optimizing energy costs, and strengthening the long-term sustainability of our network," said Hüseyin Türker, chief technology and information officer at Banglalink. "At Banglalink, sustainability is not just an environmental commitment; it is a business imperative."

Banglalink is Bangladesh's third-largest mobile network operator and is wholly owned by Veon, a multinational telecom group headquartered in Dubai. The company has been reshaping its network strategy in recent years, including the shutdown of its 3G network in May 2024 to focus on expanding 4G coverage, and the sale of 2,000 telecom towers to Summit Towers as part of a $100 million deal.

The move reflects a wider trend across the telecom and data center industries, where on-site solar is becoming an increasingly common option for operators seeking to reduce reliance on grid power and improve long-term energy resilience. In 2024, for example, Oman Data Park (ODP) tapped Omani solar developer Solar Wadi to build a 1.4MW on-site solar project to directly power its KOM 4 data center in Rusayl, Oman, highlighting the regional momentum behind renewable integration in critical digital infrastructure.