As the world battles intersecting climate change-induced crises, technological innovation is a vital weapon in the fight.
ESG Mena recently caught up with Amel Chadli, Schneider Electric’s President of Gulf Countries, to discuss the role green tech and digitalisation have to play in driving action and change in the MENA region.
In the UAE, we’re seeing the rise and rise of green tech—AI is increasingly a key feature here. Tell me about what you are offering UAE utility providers in this regard.
Schneider Electric is at the forefront of integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies with sustainable energy solutions in the UAE.
Our ongoing collaboration with the utility industry is driving the country’s transition to a sustainable and digital future.
At the World Utilities Congress, we showcased how we’re doing this through our energy-efficient solutions covering Grids of the Future and technologies geared towards the water and wastewater industry, such as our EcoStruxure for Water and Wastewater.
Through the power of AI, we are enabling real-time decision-making and predictive maintenance, which ensures seamless energy distribution and energy savings. This is critical in supporting the region, especially the UAE, which is pushing for a 40 per cent reduction in energy consumption by 2050.
You mentioned wastewater there. Water scarcity is a growing issue in the MENA, triggering the need for innovations in water-efficiency solutions, including water reuse. What is Schneider Electric doing to meet this demand?
Schneider Electric is deeply committed to addressing water stress and scarcity through innovative solutions that integrate technology and sustainability.
Our offerings include AI-enabled water recycling systems designed to optimise water usage, reduce waste, and enhance overall efficiency.
We’re simultaneously battling the rise of climate crisis-induced extreme weather events like flash floods. How is Schneider Electric working on enhancing infrastructure resilience?
The extreme flooding earlier this year in the UAE underscores the need for resilient water management infrastructure.
In response, we are prioritising integrated water management systems that not only improve water recycling but also enhance flood response and infrastructure resilience.
Schneider Electric has developed digital technologies tailored to address various challenges and vulnerabilities in water and wastewater management. These solutions enable more connected, efficient, and responsive water systems, ensuring improved performance under both normal and extreme conditions.
Food security and sustainable food systems are also rising up regional and international agendas. What role does Schneider Electric technology play in navigating the water-energy-food nexus?
Our cutting-edge energy management and automation solutions are essential for empowering agritech startups, SMEs, and key stakeholders operating in remote areas.
By deploying advanced AI models—developed in collaboration with industry pioneers like NVIDIA—we are optimising energy and water usage in agricultural facilities to enhance both efficiency and sustainability.
In addition, our IoT-driven solutions are instrumental in building energy-efficient, resilient farms that enable uninterrupted operations in remote and hybrid environments.
Aligned with the UAE’s National Food Security Strategy 2051—which aims to position the nation among the top 10 most food-secure countries globally—our advanced technologies are key drivers of this transformative journey, fostering sustainable farming practices and boosting food production.
At COP28, UAE banks pledged to mobilise AED 1 trillion in sustainable finance by 2030. How is this playing out with regard to the advancement of green digital solutions in the country?
The AED 1 trillion ($270 billion) pledge made at COP28 is a game-changer for accelerating the adoption of sustainable digital solutions in the region.
At Schneider Electric, we are at the forefront of this transformation, deploying our advanced energy management and automation technologies to drive energy efficiency and sustainability.
With innovations such as digital twin technology and advanced automation, we are enabling companies to reduce energy consumption and ensure energy efficiency on the whole.
As the UAE works towards its net-zero emissions target by 2050, this significant sustainable financing commitment is fast-tracking the implementation of cutting-edge solutions across sectors, from utilities to manufacturing.
Knowledge transfer is the cornerstone of advancing development. How are you collaborating with your clients to facilitate this across sectors?
Knowledge transfers form the backbone of sustainable development. We actively collaborate with local players through initiatives such as our recently launched Tamayuz Program, which focuses on empowering Emirati talent, particularly in technical and industrial sectors. This is in line with the UAE’s goal of a 10 per cent increase in Emiratization within skilled workforce by 2026.
Bridging the skills gap in digitalisation and sustainability presents a tremendous opportunity. Through hands-on training programs and strategic partnerships with academic institutions, we are fostering a culture of continuous learning. These efforts not only support the UAE’s knowledge economy goals but also create long-term value across industries.
Finally, on mobility, the UAE recently introduced unified EV charging fees. How do you see this impacting digitalisation in the utilities sector?
The introduction of unified EV charging tariffs is a game changer for the utilities sector in the UAE. This regulatory alignment is accelerating the digitalisation of infrastructure, particularly in energy management.
We are working alongside local partners such as e& to develop next-generation EV charging stations that are smart and energy-efficient.
Unified tariffs will encourage wider adoption of electric vehicles, necessitating more digital solutions to manage the increased energy demand. Our IoT-enabled charging stations not only offer a seamless user experience but also optimise energy distribution in real time, helping utilities better manage peak loads. This initiative directly supports the UAE’s goal to increase the share of clean energy in its total energy mix to 50% by 2050.
Schneider Electric is an ESG Mena Partner.