Schneider Electric, the specialist in energy management, has announced the signing of an exclusive agreement with Samansco, a local renewable energy, back-up power and appropriate technology company, to distribute its solar powered portable LED lamps with mobile charger, the Mobiya TS 120S, in Zimbabwe.
The signing ceremony took place in Harare at the Residence of the Ambassador of France to Zimbabwe, H.E. Laurent Delahousse, in the presence of Zanelle Dalglish, head of Sustainable Development for southern Africa at Schneider Electric and Samansco managing director, Jangez Gangat.
The Mobiya TS 120S in an energy efficient, eco-friendly and robust portable lamp producing 120-lumen light output, perfectly suited for demanding rural environments. The lamp is equipped with a mobile phone charger that includes a USB port, enabling users to charge their mobile phones any time. It features three brightness settings providing up to 48 hours of lighting with one day of solar charge. The seven simple usages allow the lamp to be hand carried, hooked to the ceiling, mounted on the wall, placed on the desk, fixed on the bottle top and carried on a pole. The patented design has won Grand Prix, Strategies Du Design 2013 and European Design awards.
“Ideal for off grid households, small shops, street vendors and fishing boats, the Mobiya TS 120S offers users safe and sufficient light for comfortable reading and other household and business activities within an un-electrified household or small business environment. Currently in Zimbabwe, 55% of the population is not connected to the grid, and 11,5% is under serviced in remote areas, rendering the Mobiya an ideal solution for social and economic development,” says Dalglish.
“Schneider Electric operations serve the best interest of the planet, cities, country and people. Our solutions are far-reaching, ranging from bringing electricity to New York to rural communities in Zimbabwe. To deliver on our promise to be the world leader in energy efficiency, we cannot ignore sectors in our society and, for this reason, corporate social responsibility is embedded in our organisation. In fact, we recently introduced a ‘planet and society’ barometer, which covers the triple bottom line: planet, profit and people.”
Gangat says that the Mobiya provides a perfect fit into the company’s total solution offering. “For more than 30 years, Samansco has been developing products and systems to provide clean, efficient and reliable power, where and when it is needed. To date, we have supplied over 22,000 systems in 14 countries throughout southern and central Africa, showing our commitment to the development of technologies appropriate for Africa, working and partnering with individuals, corporations, governmental and non-governmental organisations, and local communities to build a better, brighter and sustainable future for all.”
The French Embassy to Zimbabwe welcomes this important step towards re-engagement between Zimbabwe and French owned company, Schneider Electric, and brings its full support to the implementation of this quality, portable off-grid lighting solution, which supports both social and economic enhancements in the country.
Schneider Electric’s long-term commitment to Zimbabwe is further reiterated by its support of the Simukai Project with the Rio Zimbabwe Foundation. Samansco and Schneider Electric have committed to support the Simukai Project through the French Embassy in Zimbabwe with 20 In-Diya solar home systems.
Dalglish adds: “This is an important first step in our social engagement. By supporting community projects in Zimbabwe and through our partnership with Samansco, Schneider Electric has identified two other community projects that have been earmarked for support over the next 12 months.”
Delahousse commended both Schneider Electric and Samansco for their pro-active approach in promoting renewable energy for sustainable development in Zimbabwe.
“It is fundamental that private sector initiatives, such as these undertaken by French company, Schneider Electric, and Zimbabwean company, Samansco, become drivers for both growth and economic development. The Embassy of France is pleased to have been able to support this partnership and the fostering of co-operation with both the Rio Zim Foundation and the Simukai Project.”
