Schneider Electric, a global specialist in energy management, today announced an initiative to sponsor 90 units of its solar-powered, portable LED lighting and electricity-charging systems to Kampung Orang Asli Mentelong in Kuala Rompin, Pahang, as part of the company’s BipBop programme. Schneider Electric’s BipBop programme stands for Business, Innovation & People at the Base of the Pyramid and it concentrates its efforts on 3 complementary initiates – Investment, Training and Solutions and Business Models that promote sustainable access to energy.
The Schneider Electric Mobiya TS 120S portable Solar LED lighting systems, which provide safe, green and reliable access to energy were recently distributed to the homes of 48 Orang Asli families in Kampung Mentelong to address their electricity needs in a sustainable way. The Mobiya lights are powered via solar panels and can also be used to charge mobile phones through a USB port.
Under its BipBop programme in Malaysia, Schneider Electric has partnered with JAKOA to tackle the daily struggle of Orang Asli communities who live in remote areas and do not have reliable and constant access to electricity and light. With the help from JAKOA, Schneider Electric has identified the community in Kampung Mentelong as first in line to receive the help through its BipBop programme.
Due to its remote location in the jungle – a 45 minute off-road jeep ride from the village is required to reach the nearest town – the community of 48 families in Kampung Mentelong face an enormous challenge with electricity access. Currently, they rely on petrol-powered generators for their electricity needs, which makes the electricity and light precious and useable only at certain hours of the day.
Launched in 2009, the aim of the Schneider Electric’s BipBop programme is to help resolve the issue of energy access. This global programme was introduced to help champion the cause of changing lives through access to energy and to help address the needs of 1.3 billion people worldwide who do not have access to electricity. Schneider Electric plans to expand the BipBop programme in Malaysia in order to support more Orang Asli villages in the country wherever they face difficulties with electricity access.