France-based power company Schneider Electric has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with EM-ONE Energy Solution’s subsidiary in Abuja, to build an industrial platform and create an indigenous manufacturing supply chain across the continent.
The MoU with Abuja-based EM-ONE Energy Solutions aims to support Schneider Electric in optimising project structuring; supporting the development of an industrial platform and ensure licensed manufacturing.
With dedicated manpower in twelve African countries, Schneider Electric hopes to sign a similar partnership with other engineering procurement and construction companies to implement the same model across the continent.
“The potential for electrification is huge, not only in the context of rural electrification but also for companies wishing to have their own reliable electricity network, such as banks and their networks of agencies, distributors, food factories, data centers or even electricity suppliers, operating with generators. We need to help them support their current supply with mini-grid systems,” Paul-Francois Cattier, Schneider Electric Director of Economic Development for Africa and Middle-East region, stated.
18 months ago, Schneider Electric launched an initiative with the objective of creating a continental supply chain of mini-grids, rather than importing them from other countries.
While Africa suffers from an extensive deficit – albeit decreasing –access to power, Schneider Electric launched its Access to Energy program ten years ago aiming to bring solutions to rural electrification in particular. The company has installed 700 mini-grid systems across the continent thanks to projects developed in partnership with non-profit organisations and financed with donations.