Schneider Electric to go 100% renewable by 2030

Posted by Schneider Electric on December 13th, 2017

As the movement towards powering society with renewable energy gains steam, in many cases it is corporations that are leading the charge. Yesterday French energy management and automation company Schneider Electric announced that it would join the ranks of tech giants Google, Facebook, Microsoft and Amazon, and power 100% of its global operations with renewable energy by 2030.

Schneider Electric already has rooftop solar in place at facilities in India, Thailand and its headquarters in France. However, the company notes that even as it plans to add more rooftop PV, this will only meet a portion of its total demand.

In addition to this, Schneider Electric is planning two more mechanisms – both the procurement of electricity through off-site renewable energy projects under long-term power contracts, and the purchase of Energy Attribute Certificates (EACs), which it describes as a “free market instrument” that guarantees that every megawatt-hour of electricity used is paired with new renewable energy generation.

Energy performance goals

In keeping with its leading role in energy technologies, Schneider Electric is not stopping with merely procuring and building renewable energy. The company has also set ambitious energy performance standards, planning to double the economic output of every unit of energy consumed by 2030, using 2005 as a baseline.

This move is in line with the falling energy intensivity of advanced economies, which have continued to grow GDP while using less electricity. The company plans to use its own energy management solutions, which it says have allowed it to reduce its energy consumption 10% every three years for the past decade.

“Schneider Electric strives to answer the world’s new energy challenge by boosting energy efficiency everywhere: in homes, buildings and cities, industry, the grid, and throughout remote communities,” reads a press statement by the company. “In a world more decarbonized, more digitized, and more decentralized, energy use needs to be more productive.”

Both Schneider Electric’s renewable energy pledge and energy performance goals being undertaken in partnership with The Climate Group, and the company has signed on as part of the Group’s RE100 and EP100 programs.

About Schneider Electric

Schneider Electric is the global specialist in energy management and automation. With revenues of ~€25 billion in FY2016, our 144,000 employees serve customers in over 100 countries, helping them to manage their energy and process in ways that are safe, reliable, efficient and sustainable. From the simplest of switches to complex operational systems, our technology, software and services improve the way our customers manage and automate their operations. Our connected technologies reshape industries, transform cities and enrich lives. At Schneider Electric, we call this *Life Is On*. Schneider Electric is the worldwide expert in energy administration and automation. With incomes of ~€25 billion in FY2016, our 144,000 representatives serve clients in more than 100 nations, Schneider Electric helping them to deal with their energy and process in ways that are protected, dependable, productive and practical. From the least difficult of changes to complex operational frameworks, Schneider Electric innovation, programming and administrations enhance the way our clients oversee and computerize their operations. Schneider Electric associated advancements reshape businesses, change urban communities and advance lives. At Schneider Electric, we call this Life Is On. Schneider Electric is leading the Digital Transformation of Energy Management and Automation in Homes, Buildings, Data Centers, Infrastructure and Industries. With global presence in over 100 countries, Schneider is the undisputable leader in Power Management – Medium Voltage, Low Voltage and Secure Power, and in Automation Systems. We provide integrated efficiency solutions, combining energy, automation and software. In our global Ecosystem, we collaborate with the largest Partner, Integrator and Developer Community on our Open Platform to deliver real-time control and operational efficiency. We believe that great people and partners make Schneider a great company and that our commitment to Innovation, Diversity and Sustainability ensures that Life Is On everywhere, for everyone and at every moment.