Pilot project could help NorthwesTel lower operating costs

WHITEHORSE, YT – The results of a new feasibility study from Bell-subsidiary NorthwesTel released today suggest that the use of solar-diesel hybrid stations could reduce the northern incumbent’s base energy costs in some locations by more than 80%. The carrier said it has been actively working to reduce the costs of operating microwave stations – which are currently about $5/L for fuel and up to $2.5 million dollars per year for to maintain – at its 156 remote sites across Northern Canada. Of these sites, 87 rely on independent sources of power and 37 are only accessible by helicopter. NorthwesTel...