Management & facts

We had set ourselves the following goal for the end of 2021: for the Group as a whole to meet all of its electricity requirements, and more than 80 percent of its total energy requirements, with renewable energy sources. And we have achieved this goal. We have joined the global RE100 initiative to underscore this commitment, which aims to advance the purchase of electricity from renewable sources.

In this context, we are sourcing more green electricity directly, acquiring corresponding guarantees of origin, or concluding special power purchase agreements (PPAs), as is the case in the United States. As of the end of 2021, 23.1 percent of the power used throughout the Group was obtained via PPAs. Whenever possible and practicable, we invest in our own power plants, such as cogeneration plants or photovoltaic systems.

As of the end of 2021, we operated over 300 photovoltaic systems, for our own electricity requirements, with a total generating capacity of about 4 100 kilowatts peak (kWp). We also operated an additional group of five systems, with a total generating capacity of about 200 kWp, that feed power into the public grid (systems regulated under the German Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG)). In 2022, we will further expand our own generation and commission 20 photovoltaic systems, with more already in planning.

We use the ESG KPI  “Renewable Energy” to measure our progress. In addition, we have also introduced parameters throughout the Group that are used to assess electricity procurement at all of our national companies in terms of sustainability.

Since 2019, we have been testing a climate-neutral power supply for cellular base stations (only available in German) in which we use fuel cells instead of diesel generators. Fuel cells are economical, silent, low-maintenance and, thanks to the use of bio-methanol, they are one thing in particular: carbon neutral. In the year under review, we also launched pilot projects for off-grid power provision to cellular base stations.

The ESG KPI  “Renewable Energy” is calculated as renewable energy’s share in meeting the Group’s total electricity requirements. Since 2021, we have been sourcing 100 percent of the electricity we use, throughout the Group, from renewable energy sources. By reaching this milestone, we have achieved one of our climate targets.

We are working to reduce our energy consumption overall, by improving our energy efficiency and implementing energy-saving measures. The electricity requirements that remain are met with renewable energy. Also, we are aiming to increase our own electricity generation, and to have Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) meet larger and larger shares of our power use. As of the end of 2021, 23.1 percent of the power we used throughout the Group was obtained via PPAs. Although we meet our power requirements wherever possible via PPAs, our own power generation and direct purchases, capacity limitations require us to also depend on sources for which guarantees of origin (GOs) come into play. GOs are an important element in our efforts to meet 100 percent of our electricity requirements via renewable energy sources and thereby achieve our climate target in this area.

In 2021, renewable energy sources accounted for an average share of 25 percent of the country mix in all countries in which Deutsche Telekom operates. At present, “residual mix” data is of relevance, in this context, only for Deutsche Telekom in Germany. In Germany, the EEG surcharge paid is taken into account when calculating the share of renewable energy.

Share  of renewable energy in the total electricity consumption (in percent)

Group-wide, we cover 100 percent of our electricity consumption from renewable energies. To this end all European national companies can also purchase renewable energy certificates if needed.

In the year uner review, the share of renewable energy at our national companies was an average of nearly 75 percentage points above the respective country mix^a). In determining the amount, the national companies can also include certificates (guarantees of origin) and power purchase agreements (PPAs) for electricity obtained from renewable energy.

Deutsche Telekom in Germany purchases its electricity as part of a green tariff. 59 percent comes directly from renewable energies. The rest is covered by guarantees of origin, power purchase agreements (PPAs), and a small proportion by in-house generation.

T-Mobile US intends to reach our Group target primarily with wind power, but with solar energy as well. To that end, the American national company has concluded long-term contracts (12-15 years) with wind and solar farm operators, which gives the power producers security of investment. Thanks to PPAs, two new wind parks in the United States were put into operation in 2021. We are also aiming to conclude such long-term electricity purchase agreements in other countries. By the end of 2021, 23.1 percent of our electricity was obtained via PPAs.

We use the ESG KPI  “Renewable Energy” to measure our progress. It is calculated based on the share of renewable energy in total electricity consumption, and is compared here, for all national companies, to the share of renewable energy in the national energy mix (country mix)^a).

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Heinz-Gerd Peters