Telefónica Cuts Energy Use 12% in Spain

Why this is here: Telefónica’s 5G network is 90% more energy efficient than its 4G network, contributing to the overall reduction in energy use.

Telefónica in Spain reduced its energy consumption by 12% in 2025 despite a twelvefold increase in data traffic over the last decade. The company attributes this improvement to increased efficiency in fiber optic and 5G technologies, plus automation and artificial intelligence. Telefónica now consumes 29 MWh per Petabyte of traffic, a 92% decrease since 2015.

Maya Ormazabal, Telefónica’s Global Director of Sustainability, notes that decoupling growth from emissions reduces operational costs and strengthens resilience. The company also lowered its emissions by 49% over the past ten years, including its entire value chain.

Telefónica aims to further reduce energy consumption to 95% by 2030. While the company has made considerable progress, measuring emissions across the entire value chain—scope 3 emissions—remains a complex undertaking. The work to balance digital expansion with environmental responsibility continues.