Business Mirror
Published on Sunday, 08 September 2013 19:15 Written by Aquira Moises, Denisse Parayno
SCHNEIDER Electric and Gawad Kalinga (GK) announced that they have signed a partnership agreement focused on increasing the rural communities’ access to electricity.
The partnership aims to address the need for electricity of rural communities, considering 51 percent of the Philippine population resides in rural areas.
They said although only 10 percent have no access to electricity, rural communities often need a reliable power supply for medical facilities, and for entrepreneurial and agricultural activities.
Schneider Electric is a global specialist in energy management, with operations in more than 100 countries that also offers integrated solutions across multiple market segments. GK, on the other hand, is a non-profit foundation established in 2003 that aims to develop communities and improve the quality of life of poor people and those in difficult circumstances. Its holistic community development program encompasses refuges, healthcare, education, food and housing. It is a response to the call of nations to build and develop solidarity and promote volunteerism and public-private cooperation.
There are four aspects to the partnership: support for farmers, particularly through solar water pumping solutions, electrification of installations and adapted economic models; electrification of isolated villages, cooperatives and installations that have a continuous need for power; production and smart management of energy for GK’s Enchanted Farm, its new platform for developing the rural economy around three areas: social entrepreneurship, social tourism and social education; and training and support for local entrepreneurs to ensure the maintenance, development and sale of products and solutions in the long term.
GK will provide social expertise—through to its knowledge of the regions, the needs on the ground and of local stakeholders—and build social models adapted to the Philippine reality. Schneider Electric will contribute its technological products and solutions developed specifically to meet the needs of disadvantaged populations, technical expertise and experience in providing access to energy gained since the launch of its BipBop program in 2009.
“Within the framework of our BipBop program to increase access to reliable, affordable and clean energy, we’re always looking for innovative partnerships with actors who can offer us a clear vision and detailed knowledge of the needs of populations. The aim is to help people through a business creation process,” Jean-Pascal Tricoire, chairman and chief executive officer of Schneider Electric, said. “We’re joining Gawad Kalinga in its mission to create models for sustainable communities based on lasting economic development where access to electricity is essential.” source
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