Schneider Electric, a Global Fortune 500 company and market leader in energy management, has pledged smarter energy in Africa at the just concluded Africa Energy Forum in Barcelona International Convention Centre (CCIB), Spain.

 The forum is the yearly meeting where global players from the energy industry meet with African government, utilities operators and regulators to engage in dialogue aimed at development of Africa’s power sector.

 In a statement, it said according to UN HABITAT, African urban population will grow to billion in 2040, and to 1.23 billion in 2050, by when 60 percent 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 urbanisation and growth on the continent.

 “The challenge is not only to produce more electricity but to produce intelligent energy for smart growth in Africa. Schneider Electric’s solutions are the main to increase the available electricity in Africa with limited investment,” said Mohammed Saad, President Africa, and Schneider Electric.

Through its solution, smart cities, Schneider Electric brings together the technology to improve the efficiency of the urban systems, delivering “urban efficiency.”

 “By modernising 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,” Saad added.

 Smart cities solution allows up to 35 percent energy saving, 15 percent reduction of water losses, 20 percent reduction of travel time and traffic delays, as well as tremendous social and economic benefits.

    “As a market leader in energy management and renewable energies, Schneider Electric is the only company being able to provide a comprehensive solution to produce intelligent energy for smart growth in Africa,” said Jean-Marc Darboux, President Schneider Electric International.