During the 56th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, EDP and Schneider Electric announced a joint commitment to support a just and sustainable energy transition through the launch of the EDGE Transition initiative. This program aims to support entrepreneurs and social organizations that work in key areas such as access to clean energyenergy efficiency and job creation in vulnerable communities.
Innovation and energy development by EDP and Schneider Electric
EDGE Transition is positioned as a global platform that connects social innovators with energy companies, investors and strategic allies. Its structure includes incubation mechanisms, technical mentoring, solution validation and business development support, facilitating the attraction of investment and the expansion of the impact of participating projects.
The proposal seeks to address challenges such as inequality in access to affordable and safe energy, in addition to promoting green jobs and inclusive training. The financing model proposes the incorporation of new sponsors who, for three years, may join with direct investments, collaborative projects or integration of innovative solutions in their value chains.
EDGE Transition is aligned with EDP’s social impact strategy, “YES – You Empower Society”, which contemplates an annual investment of close to 30 million euros until 2030 to support more than 500 social projects. Initiatives such as Entama, active in territories with low population density in Portugal and Spain, reflect the company’s vocation to promote sustainable and equitable local development.
With the participation of leaders such as Miguel Stilwell d’Andrade and Pedro Vasconcelos from EDP, the partnership with Schneider Electric underlines the role of business collaboration in the energy transition. Both companies thus reinforce their presence in the global debate on the future of energy and the role of social innovation as a tool to generate positive impact in the most underserved territories.
Source and photo: EDP