The Challenge
Telenor Pakistan operates over 10,000 BTS sites nationwide, with 200 critical sites in Punjab and KPK facing severe power challenges. Grid availability averaged just 12-14 hours daily, forcing heavy reliance on diesel generators that were draining operational budgets and creating logistical nightmares.
Key Pain Points
- 18-12 hours of daily grid outages requiring constant diesel backup
- 2PKR 180M annual diesel expenditure across 200 sites
- 3Diesel theft incidents accounting for 15% fuel loss
- 4Remote sites with difficult fuel delivery logistics
- 5Environmental compliance pressure from corporate sustainability goals
- 6Generator maintenance consuming 30% of site OPEX
- 7Noise pollution complaints from nearby communities
Business Impact: Rising operational costs were eroding site profitability by 25% year-over-year. Sites in remote areas of KPK were particularly affected, with some locations spending PKR 150,000/month on diesel alone.
The Opportunity
Modern Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) combined with solar had matured to the point where total cost of ownership was now lower than diesel-dependent operations. Telenor saw an opportunity to not only reduce costs but also improve network reliability and meet sustainability targets.
Project Scope
200 BTS sites across Punjab and KPK requiring custom hybrid power solutions. Each site would be assessed individually to determine optimal solar + BESS + diesel configuration based on load profiles, grid availability, and local conditions.
The Solution
HNL designed a comprehensive hybrid power transformation program. Rather than one-size-fits-all, we created site-specific configurations that maximized ROI while ensuring 99.9% uptime. The solution integrated lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries, mono-crystalline solar panels, and intelligent energy management systems.
Granular Site Assessment
Our team conducted 2-week load profiling at each site, measuring consumption patterns every 15 minutes. This data drove precise BESS sizing - avoiding both over-investment and under-capacity.
Custom BESS Sizing Algorithm
We developed a proprietary algorithm that considered grid patterns, solar irradiance data, and seasonal load variations to determine optimal battery capacity (ranging from 10kWh to 50kWh per site).
Solar Integration Strategy
Each site received 5-15kW solar arrays based on available roof/ground space. Bi-facial panels were used where ground reflection could boost yields by 10-15%.
Intelligent Energy Management
Cloud-connected EMS at each site optimizes power source selection in real-time, predicts grid outages using ML, and schedules battery charging during off-peak hours.
Remote Monitoring & Predictive Maintenance
24/7 monitoring from HNL's NOC with automated alerts for battery health, solar degradation, and anomaly detection. Predictive algorithms forecast maintenance needs 2-4 weeks in advance.
Diesel Backup Optimization
Existing diesel generators retained as tertiary backup, but runtime reduced from 8+ hours to under 1 hour daily on average. Auto-start only when battery SOC drops below 20%.
Technical Specifications
| battery Type | 48V Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) |
| battery Capacity | 10-50 kWh per site (total 4.8 MWh) |
| solar Capacity | 5-15 kW per site (total 1.8 MW) |
| cycle Life | 6,000+ cycles at 80% DoD |
| monitoring | Cloud-based EMS with 4G/LTE connectivity |
| warranty | 10 years battery, 25 years solar panels |
| efficiency | Round-trip efficiency >95% |
Execution Timeline
Phase 1: Assessment & Design
Months 1-3- Detailed site surveys for all 200 locations
- 2-week load profiling per site
- Solar resource assessment using satellite data
- Custom system design and BOQ preparation
- Procurement and logistics planning
- Regulatory approvals where required
Phase 2: Pilot Deployment
Month 4- Installation at 10 pilot sites across different regions
- System integration and commissioning
- Performance baseline establishment
- Fine-tuning of EMS algorithms
- Training of local O&M teams
Phase 3: Mass Rollout
Months 5-10- Parallel deployment across 6 regional teams
- 35-40 sites completed per month
- Quality assurance at each installation
- Progressive handover to Telenor operations
- Real-time monitoring activation
Phase 4: Optimization & Handover
Months 11-12- Performance analysis vs design targets
- EMS algorithm optimization based on real data
- Complete documentation and as-built drawings
- Comprehensive training program
- Warranty activation and SLA commencement
Project Gallery
Solar array installation at a Punjab BTS site
48V LiFePO4 battery bank in weather-rated enclosure
Real-time energy management dashboard
Completed hybrid power installation
The Outcome
Annual diesel consumption reduced from 180M to 63M liters equivalent
PKR annual operational cost reduction
BTS sites upgraded with hybrid power
Improved from 97.2% pre-deployment
Tons CO2 reduced annually
Faster than projected 2.5 years
Business Impact
"The hybrid power solution has fundamentally transformed our site economics. What impressed us most was HNL's data-driven approach - every site got exactly what it needed, no more, no less. We've already contracted them for Phase 2 covering 300 additional sites in Sindh and Balochistan."
FFaisal KhanHead of Network Operations, Telenor Pakistan
Key Learnings
- Site-specific sizing based on actual load data maximizes ROI vs standardized solutions
- Pilot deployments are essential to fine-tune EMS algorithms before mass rollout
- LiFePO4 chemistry is ideal for Pakistan's climate with superior thermal stability
- Remote monitoring with predictive maintenance reduces truck rolls by 60%
- Retaining diesel as backup provides insurance against edge cases