AI Growth Spurs Demand For Smarter Power Solutions –Schneider

Schneider Electric, a global leader in energy management and automation, has said that the growing adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) across Nigeria’s healthcare, agriculture, education, and manufacturing sectors is driving calls for smarter and more sustainable power solutions to support the country’s digital transformation.

The firm said Nigeria can embrace AI innovation without triggering an energy crisis if it invests in localised power generation, efficient infrastructure, and advanced energy technologies. The company also noted that AI technology, like earlier innovations such as personal computers and smartphones, becomes more efficient and affordable as adoption expands.

Ajibola Akindele, country president of Schneider Electric West Africa, said Nigeria has an opportunity to lead Africa in AI adoption while ensuring responsible energy use.

“Innovation and sustainability must go hand in hand. Nigeria has a unique opportunity to become a leader in AI innovation in Africa while setting an example for responsible energy use,” Akindele said.

“With the rise of AI workloads, Nigerian businesses need future-proof, reliable, and sustainable infrastructure. We are enabling our IT partners to deliver solutions that not only meet the demands of today’s applications but are also designed for long-term energy efficiency and data security,” he added.

The Schneider noted in a statement, “Much of the processing, it added, now happens at the edge within local data centres, smart buildings, or factories rather than centralised facilities, a shift that reduces reliance on large-scale power infrastructure and enhances resilience in areas with grid challenges. Technologies such as solar panels with battery storage, fuel cells, and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) enable Nigerian businesses to generate and manage energy locally. Adaptive power systems and AI-ready infrastructure, Schneider explained, can also support bi-directional energy flows and reduce pressure on public utilities.’’

The firm further highlighted the role of energy-efficient hardware, AI-enabled analytics, and comprehensive energy management platforms in reducing waste, cutting costs, and aligning Nigeria’s growth with global and local climate targets, adding that with localised power generation, edge computing, and green infrastructure, Nigeria can sustain AI growth without compromising energy stability.