NAIROBI - Mobile operator Airtel Africa said on Tuesday it would build a "green" network and reduce its carbon footprint in the continent.

The firm said in a statement issued in Nairobi that it has over the past year reduced the number of telecom sites running solely on diesel by more than 50 percent by overcoming the challenge of lack of grid connectivity through use of innovative models such as Hybrid Battery Bank.  

"As part of its commitment to the environment the company has undertaken a series of initiatives that are starting to deliver tangible results," said Airtel, which operates in 16 African countries including Kenya.

The mobile firm has reduced number of telecom sites running 24x7 on diesel by over 50 percent and plans to completely eradicate constant use of diesel across all its sites by 2013.

Hybrid Battery Banks collect the excess energy produced by the diesel powered generator in a battery that powers the site once the generator in switched off. This has helped reduce the use of diesel by up to 14 hours a day.

Close to 60 percent of Airtel's telecom sites in Africa are now powered using the Hybrid model resulting in major reduction in emissions and also operating costs for the company.

"The company is targeting over 70 percent of all its sites to be powered by the Hybrid model by end of 2013. It added that is also working on the use of solar and wind power to power its telecom sites," it said.

Airtel is also exploring use of renewable energy such as solar and wind power.