A method in a communication system for managing energy consumption of base stations within the communication system includes computing a marginal energy value for a first base station based on an energy source type of the first base station and computing a marginal energy value for a second base station based on an energy source type of the second base station. The method also includes comparing the marginal energy value for the first base station and the marginal energy value for the second base station. Additionally, the method includes adjusting an amount of wireless communication managed by the first base station in relation to the second base station, such that the amount of wireless communication managed by the first base station is increased if the first base station has a lower marginal energy value than the second base station, or the amount of wireless communication managed by the first base station is decreased if the first base station has a higher marginal energy value than the second base station.