Schneider Electric has said that high tariffs continue to hinder electricity usage in rural communities across West Africa.
The company has expressed its intention to offer solutions to address the challenges surrounding the adoption of electrification projects in rural areas of West Africa, where access to reliable and affordable energy remains a significant concern.
Commercial Lead, Microgrid, Power & Grid Business Segment, Schneider Electric, Teina Teibowei, in a statement, said: “The high tariffs associated with electricity use in rural areas pose a significant barrier. In communities with limited economic opportunities, even basic lighting can be prohibitively expensive, discouraging adoption.
“This reality is further compounded by the low energy consumption patterns in these communities, characterised by single lights and sockets in homes,” she said.
Ajibola Akindele, the President of Schneider Electric West Africa, emphasized, “Through addressing affordability issues, generating economic opportunities, and cultivating a mindset of responsible energy usage, we can unleash the full potential of rural electrification in West Africa, thereby empowering communities.”
According to reports, the Nigerian Minister for Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has expressed that the Federal Government might no longer be capable of maintaining electricity subsidies.
