Alstom is financing an energy kiosk project in Zambia to meet the needs of people who are not connected to the network.
This project is financed by the savings made through the "We share the power" programme, which aims to reduce electricity consumption on the Group’s sites around the world. A real local service for inhabitants, the kiosk provides access to cheaper renewable electricity. This project is conducted in partnership with the American University of Seattle and the "Kilowatts for Humanity" association.
Equipped with solar panels, the kiosk will be capable of autonomously producing its own energy and will enable electricity to be supplied to around 500 people from the North Kariba region. "Today families are using poor quality, expensive and polluting lighting, and have to travel many miles to recharge their electrical equipment", explains Antoine Desclos le Peley, the "We share the power" project manager. Thanks to the energy kiosk, the inhabitants of the North Kariba region will be able to charge a portable battery that will provide them with electricity at home at a lower cost. Work is planned to start in April 2016.
The provision of sustainable lighting has a positive impact on families’ daily life, by enabling them to continue their activities during the evening, either to work or to study. Managed by an entrepreneur who comes from the region, the energy kiosk is also a profitable activity that contributes to the development of the local economy. In time, this type of installation will be able to supply electricity to schools or hospitals.
Launched in 2012 by Alstom’s Renewable Energy branch, "We share the power" has mobilised hundreds of employees, mainly in France, China, India and Brazil, and has already enabled savings of €2.2 million. "This is a project designed to stand the test of time", explains Antoine Desclos le Peley. "With "We share the power", we are demonstrating that Alstom responsibly manufactures sustainable products. Beyond energy consumption management, we are also taking on another challenge, namely to promote access to energy, which is a real lever for development".
Alstom’s "We share the power" programme has received support from well-known figures in the science world, such as astrophysicist Hubert Reeves, astronaut Jean-François Clervoy and climatologist and Nobel Peace Prize winner Jean Jouzel. Alstom also shares its energy consumption reduction practices with other manufacturers such as Renault, Airbus and Michelin.