Schneider Electric SA (Euronext: SU), a Global Fortune 500 company and market leader in the field of energy management, is pledging for smarter energy in Africa, at the Africa Energy Forum 2013, which opens today at the Barcelona International Convention Centre (CCIB), Spain.
The Africa Energy Forum (AEF) is the annual meeting place where global players from the energy industry meet with African governments, utilities and regulators to engage in dialogue aimed at collectively driving forward the development of Africa's power sector.
According to UN HABITAT, the African urban population will grow to one billion by 2040 and to 1.23 billion by 2050, at which point 60 per cent of all Africans will be living in cities. As African growth will be driven mainly by existing and new cities, electricity will be a key factor to sustain urbanization and growth on the continent.
"The challenge is not only to produce more electricity but to produce intelligent energy in order to enable smart growth in Africa. Schneider Electric's solutions aim at increasing the electricity available in Africa with limited investments," Mohammed Saad, President Africa, Schneider Electric.
With its Smart Cities solution, Schneider Electric unites the technologies required to improve the efficiency of urban systems and deliver "urban efficiency".
"By modernizing the existing grid, developing renewable energy, exploiting the huge solar potential Africa receives every day, and helping companies, industries and public authorities to be more energy efficient, Smart Cities approach delivers the short-term, visible, measurable, low-investment results that cities need," added Saad.
The Smart Cities solution allows up to 30% energy savings, 15% reduction of water losses, 20% reduction of travel time and traffic delays, as well as tremendous social and economic benefits.
"As a market leader in the fields of energy management and renewable energies, Schneider Electric is the only company able to provide a comprehensive solution allowing the production of intelligent energy that enables smart growth in Africa," comments Jean-Marc Darboux, President Schneider Electric International.
