TheCable

Schneider Electric has signed a memorandum of understanding with EM-ONE Energy Solutions, a sustainable energy and engineering firm. 

Under the MoU, Schneider would provide support for EM-ONE, as the energy firm delivers 30 mini-grids to power hospitals in Kaduna state with plans to assist the university and rural electrification market.

A mini-grid is an integrated local generation and distribution system with installed capacity below 1 megawatt (MW), capable of serving numerous end‐users independent of the national grid.

In a statement, Paul-François Cattier, Schneider Electric’s vice president, business development, Africa and Middle East, said the group has for the last 18 months been working to set up an industry based on mini-grids built or operated by local stakeholders.

He said 700 mini-grids had already been set up in various communities across Africa under its Access to Energy Programme.

“EM-ONE Energy Solutions has already won a contract for 30 mini-grids in Nigeria to power hospitals in Kaduna State, and is also targeting the university and rural electrification market,” the statement quoted Cattier as saying.

“The MoU concerns Schneider’s support with optimizing the architecture of these projects  and  developing  an  industrial platform  to  integrate  these  mini-grids  into  containers  in  Nigeria  and manufacture Schneider Electric mini-grid solutions under licence.

“Rather than importing mini-grids produced in Europe, Asia or North America, we want to create an African  mini-grid  industry  with  operators,  integrators,  investors  and  local  jobs.

“Schneider Electric will provide them (EM-ONE) with advice on setting up an industrial plant and testing.”

Cattier said that there are growing opportunities in the African energy market, with companies operating in various industries making the switch to hybrid energy solutions via mini-grids.