Schneider Electric India is seeking better exposure through Efficiency Yatra 2013 it is conducting, and will touch 50 cities and an estimated 10,000 clients

Celebrating 50 years of presence in India, Schneider Electric is conducting an Efficiency Yatra 2013. Consisting of trucks that have set out from Schneider Electric India's headquarters at Gurgaon, the yatra (fair) will touch 50 cities and an estimated 10,000 customers. A responsible way of commemorating the company's presence in India for 50 years, according to Abid Makani, Director (Power Business Unit), Schneider Electric India, the two trucks, carrying Schneider's 450 products, will demonstrate the solutions the company offers towards efficient use of energy.

Speaking in Mumbai, during the Yatra's stopover in the city, S Nagarajan, Business Vice President, Power Business, Schneider Electric India, said demand for automation with the view of achieving greater energy savings is growing. Pointing at inflation, which is threatening to drive interest rates higher, Mr Nagarajan said the Indian business contributes 3.5% to Schneider's global business. Asked whether the market situation in India has led to a temporary setback, he opined that power infrastructure is picking up, and would generate good growth in areas like smart grid. An area Schneider is investing in.

Schneider, according to Anil Chaudhary, Managing Director and Country President, is helping clients to achieve savings up to 30%. India being a critical market for the company apart from China, The company has invested in an R&D centre at Bangalore. The largest after Europe, the centre is engaged in Indian as well as global innovation, and marks a strong presence in the local market.

Starting operations in India in 1963 as a joint venture with Voltas, Schneider, apart from the R&D centre, has come to have 31 factories in the country. Some of the factories were acquired as part of the eight acquisitions by the company in India over a decade. In 2009, the company acquired Meher Capacitors. In 2010, it acquired Uniflair, Areva T&D, and Zicom's electronic security systems integration business. In 2011, Luminous and Digilink were acquired. With 45,000 point of sales in India, the company, with a big thrust on retail through Luminous, is into life space renewable energy resources and services.

Schneider is also into industry areas like process control, drives and automation. Providing field services and professional services to help clients acquire efficient energy management systems, Schneider Electric India, has also come to enjoy a strong presence in the data centre space.

Working with 70 to 80 integrators in various market areas like home (Life Space) automation, IT, building management systems, utilities, solar (renewable energy medias), water management, food and beverages, the key growth route, according to Mr Nagarajan, could come through EMMI integration. Renewable energy sectors like solar could bring growth too. Solar, he said, is growing at 15 to 20%, the cost of solar electricity having come down by 50% in the recent times.

Stressing on increasing demand for energy, especially in countries like India, Mr Chaudhary emphasized on how difficult it is becoming to address the demand. "By 2030, energy demand will go up four times. Averaging 120% increase in energy value over last year shows a lack of energy, and therefore a big demand-supply gap.

New energy sources like solar are not yet viable. Most current sources are fossil fuel based, which pollute and are leading to climate change. The need is to save energy, and use it efficiently," he added.

Drawing attention towards Schneider solutions that ensure energy efficiency, lead to efficient usage and consumption, Mr Chaudhary touched upon the new concept of Negawatts, which stems from energy losses at various stages of transmission.

Touching upon energy costs going up for industries that are already battling other higher input costs, Mr Nagarajan expressed that industries are re-orienting themselves.

From small industries to big corporates, from individuals to societies, the awareness to conserve energy is growing, he added. With smart solutions from companies like Schneider, the way ahead looks promising.