FET formally joins RE100, sets goal of using 100% renewable energy by 2040

On March 20, Far EasTone Telecommunications (FET) officially announced that it has become a member of RE100, a global renewable energy initiative led by the Climate Group and in partnership with the Carbon Disclosure Project, (CDP) and pledged to contribute to the joint effort of building a sustainable net-zero environment by reaching the goal of using 100% renewable energy by 2040!

Everyone has a responsibility to protect planet Earth as global warming is causing sea level to rise and as extreme weather conditions are bringing economic and social damage, said FET President Chee Ching. No one should be a bystander, she said, especially when it comes the urgent task of saving energy and cutting carbon emission.

According to the Paris Agreement resulting from COP21, signatory countries agree to the goal of reaching net zero by 2050. Describing the goal as highly challenging, Ching said it would depend on the effort of all enterprises of all nations to meet the targets. By joining RE100, FET is moving its target date of using only renewable energy forward by eight years – from 2048 to 2040, Ching noted, calling it a concrete action by FET as part of its commitment to low-carbon operation and to protection for the Earth.

Sam Kimmins, Director of Energy at Climate Group said: “Far EasTone Telecommunication’s commitment to 100% renewable electricity by 2040 demonstrates its leadership in the energy transition. Together, our RE100 members represent a powerful force for positive change and we encourage all large-scale businesses to join us.”

In order to reach the goal of using only renewable energy company-wide by 2040, FET is not only installing solar photovoltaic panels on all company-owned buildings but it also purchased an environment-friendly solar power plant toward the end of 2022. In addition, FET is drafting a practical plan for increasing the percentage of renewable energy use year by year. The plan includes building solar power plants, purchasing green electricity and assessing emerging technologies in the areas of renewable energy and carbon capture and utilization. It is expected that FET offices, retail locations and main server and data centers will use nothing but renewable energy by 2030 and the switch to renewables will be expanded to the rest of the company by 2040.

In addition to speeding up the transition to renewable energy sources, since 2021, FET has initiated various measures aimed at increasing the efficiency of energy use. They include the use of high-efficiency LED lights and air conditioners certified as the most energy-efficient at FET retail stores. So far, more than 3,000 lamps and some 800 air conditioners have been replaced. After the replacement program is complete, the company will be able to cut CO2 emission by 1,300 metric tons per year. This particular program maximizes energy efficiency while providing customers with a service that is both comfortable and energy-saving.  

At the same time, FET company vehicles are going electric, with a goal of using only electric vehicles by 2030, which is expected to reduce CO2 emission by 900 metric tons annually. In addition, FET data centers are adopting innovative technology of saving energy by ventilation, which conducts relatively cool air from outside a building into a sophisticated mixing mechanism before it is used to maintain server temperature at a low level. The system has managed to cut power consumption for air conditioning by more than 50% in autumn and winter, which represents a massive reduction in emission from data centers.