THE SUSTAINABILITY INTERVIEW
She says the partnership connects companies from different points in the value chain to create solutions neither could develop independently.
Innovation focussed on grid technology As an energy technology company, Schneider Electric’ s innovation priorities centre on electrification and efficiency technologies.
Esther describes the sector as an old industry facing disruptive innovations, particularly in managing high power demand and intermittent renewable energy sources.
“ A lot of our R & D innovation road map is extremely busy so that we can invent the gear, the assets, the infrastructure and the digital capabilities that will enable us basically to have
“ There is so much to do to transform the company, to transform our value chains, to transform the way we work with our customers”
Esther Finidori, Chief Sustainability Officer, Schneider Electric the world powered 100 % by renewable energy,” she says.
The challenge involves developing systems that allow grids to operate differently than they have historically, accommodating variable renewable generation while maintaining reliability. This is the primary item on the business agenda for the coming years.
Helping suppliers and customers to find a way The company works with stakeholders at different points in the value chain through distinct approaches.
With suppliers, Schneider Electric has developed programmes focused on capability building rather than simply making demands.
Esther says:“ We’ ve taken a strong posture that we don’ t want to be in a demanding negotiation type of relationship with them when it comes to sustainability.
“ We want to be helping them to build the capabilities they need to put sustainability at the core of their own strategy.
“ From the very early days of awareness, to strategic thinking, to taking the commitments and then supporting them in practice, we’ ve used some of our energy experts in our own factories to run energy audits at suppliers’ factories,” Esther says.
The approach involves helping suppliers make sustainability strategic to their own operations, using Schneider Electric’ s scale to provide support smaller companies might struggle to access independently.
28 October 2025