The rollout of 5G technology promises to revolutionize internet speeds, offering data transfer rates up to 1,000 times faster than previous networks. However, despite these impressive benefits, 5G networks are projected to consume up to 1,000 times more energy than current networks, raising significant concerns regarding their environmental impact and energy demands.
The energy-intensive nature of 5G is exacerbated by the scale of its infrastructure requirements, including small cells, MIMO antennas, cloud computing, and the proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices. This growing energy demand is already putting a strain on existing power grids. A study from 2020 noted that equipment at operator sites often struggles to meet the additional energy requirements.
By 2030, energy consumption by 5G networks is expected to increase by 160%, reaching 51.3 million tonnes of oil equivalent (Mtoe), a level comparable to Sweden’s total annual energy consumption or that of all households in the United Kingdom. Addressing this issue will require innovations in energy-efficient technologies and the adoption of renewable energy sources.
As the digital revolution unfolds, the world stands on the brink of a new era of lightning-fast internet, seamless connectivity, and technology integration into every facet of daily life. The introduction of 5G technology marks the beginning of this era, with the promise of data transfer speeds up to 1,000 times faster than previous networks.
However, beneath the surface of this technological marvel lies a threat that could severely impact the future: the insatiable energy demand that could consume up to 1,000 times more energy than current networks.
According to a 2018 article in IEEE Spectrum, “The threat behind the promise of 5G, which enables data transfer up to 1,000 times faster than current networks, is that 5G could also consume up to 1,000 times more energy.”
This harsh reality comes to the forefront due to the vast infrastructure and hardware demands necessary to support 5G, including the expansion of small cells, massive MIMO antennas, cloud computing, and the explosion of IoT devices.
It is estimated that a single 5G base station consumes the same amount of energy as 73 households, and energy demands are already rising significantly. According to a 2019 report from the Small Cell Forum, it is predicted that by 2025, the number of installed small cells will reach 70.2 million, with 13.1 million being 5G or multimodal small cells.
Radoslav Danilak, a well-known figure in the tech industry, warned that energy consumption in data centers will double every four years. “Energy consumption will double every four years,” he noted, highlighting the exponential growth of energy demands. This exponential increase in energy consumption is not limited to data centers but extends to all components of the 5G network, from base stations to small cells and core networks.
5G’s growing strain on the power grid
The energy requirements of 5G are already beginning to strain existing infrastructure. Roberto Kompany, a senior analyst at Analysys Mason, highlighted in a 2020 report that equipment at operator sites is often insufficient to meet the additional energy demands of 5G networks.
Additionally, 5G’s reliance on millimeter-wave frequencies, which are more prone to interference and require denser infrastructure, exacerbates the energy consumption issue.
“A 5G base station is generally expected to consume about three times more energy than a 4G base station,” stated a 2019 article in IEEE Spectrum. This means that we are not only facing a massive increase in data transfer speeds but also a significant rise in energy consumption, creating the perfect storm for serious challenges.
Alarming implications for energy consumption
The implications of this energy consumption are alarming. According to a 2020 study published by the Data Centre Forum, by 2030, energy consumption for 5G networks is expected to rise to 51.3 Mtoe (million tonnes of oil equivalent), equivalent to Sweden’s energy consumption or the total energy used by households in the UK that year.
This represents a 160% increase in energy consumption between 2020 and 2030, driven by the energy demands of robust network elements, the proliferation of 5G cell locations, and the flexibility of 5G networks in both consumer and business cases.
As the world advances toward 5G, balancing the need for faster connectivity with sustainability will be critical. To address the rising energy demands of 5G, investments in energy-efficient technologies and renewable energy sources are crucial to ensuring that the benefits of 5G can be realized without compromising environmental sustainability.
