Energy

Since 2016, we have reported on the Energy Intensity ESG  KPI. In contrast to the existing Energy Consumption ESG KPI, the new ESG KPI shows energy consumption in proportion to the transmitted data volumes. Using data volume as a reference parameter makes it possible to create a direct link to the performance of our networks.

  Data assured by PwC. For detailed assurance comments see „DT Group in Germany“ 

The ESG KPI figure also takes into account total energy consumption for all energy sources – fuel, gas, district heating and electricity. The data volume is composed of the transmitted IP  data volumes (including Voice over IP, Internet, IP-TV).

Since 2016, we have reported on the Energy Intensity ESG  KPI. In contrast to the existing Energy Consumption ESG KPI, the new ESG KPI places the energy consumption into a ratio with the managed data volumes. Using data volume as a reference parameter makes it possible to create a direct link to the performance of our networks.

   Data assured by PwC. Data is partly based on estimates, assumptions and extrapolations. The calculation method was adjusted in 2017. Values cannot be directly compared to the previous year.

The ESG KPI figure also takes into account total energy consumption for all energy sources – fuel, gas, district heating and electricity. The data volume is composed of the transported IP  data volumes (including IP telephone, internet, IP-TV).

Total energy consumption indecreased by 3 percent year over year as a result of the rapidly growing data traffic and the corresponding continuous network expansion. In order to achieve our climate goal, we are focusing on areas with especially high energy consumption, such as our networks and data centers. For instance, we are migrating our network infrastructure to IP  technology, which is not only more powerful, but also consumes less electricity than existing technologies.

Data verified by PwC. For detailed audit comments see „DT Group in Germany“ and „T-Mobile US“.

The Renewables ESG KPI  is calculated based on the share of renewable energy in the total electricity consumption. We are committed to increasing our reliance on renewable energy throughout the Group. The new climate protection target includes obtaining 100 percent of energy requirements from renewable sources. To this end, all national companies can purchase renewable energy directly as well as through certificates (guarantees of origin for electricity from renewable sources)  if needed.

In 2018, Deutsche Telekom obtained 52 percent of its electricity from renewable sources. 

The average share of electricity from renewable sources in the country mix across all countries where Deutsche Telekom is active was 32 percent. This was based on the supplier-specific electricity mix, the residual mix or the average country mix according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, depending on the statistics available. The residual mix uses country-related residual factors (based on the RE-DISS project of the European Commission, which assessed the national share of renewables following subtraction of declared quantities of electricity). The share of renewable energy in the residual mix is typically lower than the share in the country mix. For Germany, the EEG surcharge paid is taken into account when calculating the share of renewable energy.

The share of electricity obtained from renewable sources based on the country mix amounted to 23 percent (“remaining” country mix). ^b)

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

We are committed to increasing our reliance on renewable energy throughout the Group. To this end all European national companies can also purchase renewable energy certificates if needed.

Since 2016, we have reported on the Renewable Energy ESG  KPI. It is calculated based on the share of renewable energy in total electricity consumption, and is compared here to the share of renewable energy in the national energy mix (country mix) for all national companies.

Deutsche Telekom was able to reduce the emissions generated by its electricity consumption to zero from 2008 to 2012 by purchasing RECS  certificates (Renewable Energy Certificate System). However, we feel that these certificates have not had as positive an impact on the environment as we had hoped. Demand for certificates was generally limited. As a result, RECS certificates do not make a noticeable contribution to encouraging the expansion of renewable energy sources. That is why we feel it makes more sense both in terms of ecological and economic aspects to invest in reducing our energy consumption and increasing our energy efficiency than to purchase RECS certificates.

The efficiency of our data centers is monitored with the so-called PUE  factor (Power Usage Effectiveness). It serves as an indicator for improvements in energy efficiency of our data center infrastructure. It is calculated as the ratio between the total electrical energy consumed by the data center and the electrical energy consumption of the IT. Between 2011 and 2018, we were able to reduce the average global PUE value of our T-Systems data centers from 1.85 to 1.63. For Germany, a decline from 1.67 to 1.57 was achieved between 2008 and 2018.