Schneider Electric, a global leader in sustainable energy solutions, has emphasised its commitment to fostering a greener and more resilient future.
At the Energy Access Investment Forum (EAIF) Conference held at Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos, Nigeria, the company spearheaded discussions with with a focus on universal access to sustainable energy solutions.
Ajibola Akindele, country president of Schneider Electric West Africa, highlighted the company’s longstanding dedication to sustainability.
“Schneider Electric is almost 200 years old, with a presence in over 110 countries and 150,000 employees globally. Our mission is to be a global digital partner for sustainability and efficiency, bridging progress and sustainability for all,” Akindele stated.
He noted Schneider Electric’s recognition by the Corporate Knights Global 100 Index as one of the world’s most sustainable corporations for the 12th consecutive year.
Akindele also mentioned Schneider Electric’s extensive operations in Nigeria, which include partnerships across various industries such as power, real estate, transportation, oil and gas, telecommunications, and tourism.
“With a million electricians, 6,000 plus official distributors, and 120,000 points of sale distributors, Schneider Electric is closely knit to our customers, delivering solutions that address the Nigerian market,” he added.
Thomas Bonicel, director MEAS, Access to Energy at Schneider Electric, discussed the company’s Access to Energy (A2E) program.
“Our program provides comprehensive approaches to support universal access to sustainable, safe, and clean energy for developing countries, including training and entrepreneurship programs, social and inclusive business, and investment funds,” Bonicel said.
He outlined Schneider Electric’s ambitious sustainability goals, including achieving net-zero operations by 2030 and a carbon-neutral value chain by 2040.
Highlighting the pressing need for energy access, Bonicel noted that 700 million people globally lack access to energy, with 600 million in Africa and 95 million in Nigeria.
“We have decided to deploy our Access to Energy solutions in Nigeria. Our major KPI is the impact measured by the quantity of connected people. With Villaya Flex, our latest innovation, we are ready to support independent electricity access and renewable energy adoption in remote villages and off-grid communities,” he explained.
Teina Teibowei, commercial leader for Microgrid at Schneider Electric, introduced the Villaya Flex, a comprehensive microgrid solution designed for rural, off-the-grid communities.
“Villaya Flex maximizes solar energy to minimize reliance on polluting gensets. It incorporates smart monitoring and an integrated management system to efficiently manage multiple energy sources, optimizing the mini grid’s performance,” Teibowei said.
He emphasized its potential to support the Nigerian Government and the World Bank’s efforts to extend electricity access to rural communities.
Schneider Electric aims to provide access to clean electricity to 50 million people by 2025 and 100 million by 2030.
To date, 46.5 million people have already benefited from their energy access solutions. Through innovative projects like Villaya Flex, Schneider Electric is driving sustainable development and resilience in off-grid communities across Africa.
