## Schneider Electric Expands Microgrid Deployment to Empower Maternal Health in Guatemala
Schneider Electric, a global leader in energy management and automation, is taking a significant step towards improving maternal health in Guatemala. The company has partnered with United Solar Initiative to install two microgrids at maternal healthcare clinics in the country, expanding its commitment to bringing reliable energy to remote communities around the world.
The announcement was made at the Society of Women Engineers annual conference, “WE 24,” during a panel discussion on “Empowering Change through Energy Equity.” Schneider Electric has donated $50,000 to United Solar Initiative to support the installation of the microgrids.
This initiative is particularly crucial given the alarming statistics surrounding maternal mortality in Guatemala. The World Health Organization reports that over five million mothers and children die needlessly each year due to lack of healthcare access. In Guatemala, indigenous women face a disproportionate risk of death during labor, with an average of 156 deaths per 100,000 live births – seven times higher than in the United States.
The microgrids in San Sebastián Coatán and Santa Eulalia will provide these remote communities with consistent, round-the-clock power, guaranteeing access to essential healthcare services. This reliable energy source will ensure:
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24/7 access to quality medical care:
Mothers will have access to vital medical attention at any time of day or night, significantly improving maternal health outcomes and reducing the risk of complications.*
Enhanced preventative primary health care:
The microgrids will support essential day-to-day operations, including preventative healthcare services, rigorous monitoring and evaluation processes, and continuous capacity building for midwives, mothers, and Ministry of Health staff.This initiative expands upon Schneider Electric’s successful microgrid deployments in Kenya, where similar projects have led to a dramatic 83% reduction in maternal mortality rates since 2019. “Our partnership with United Solar Initiative and Impact Global Health Alliance has already underscored the life-saving impact of microgrids,” said Samantha Childress, Microgrid Partner & Strategy Director for Schneider Electric. “We are excited to expand this program to Guatemala, where we can continue to help make a positive impact in the lives of mothers and their children.”
The impact of these microgrids extends far beyond maternal health, providing a foundation for comprehensive community development. “These projects are part of a comprehensive community-based initiative that empowers mothers and their children,” said Andrew Herrera, Executive Director of Impact Global Health Alliance. “By providing reliable power, expert staff can respond more swiftly to life-saving situations, enhance child nutrition, empower women, and support reproductive education in schools.”
Schneider Electric’s commitment to empowering communities through energy equity is a powerful example of how technology can be used to create a more sustainable and equitable future for all. The company’s collaboration with public health experts and its dedication to delivering peer-reviewed results demonstrate a tangible and meaningful impact where it is needed most.
“We are aiming to replicate the impactful model that we deployed in Kenya, bringing the life-saving benefits of reliable energy to mothers in Guatemala,” said Childress. “This will help to ensure that mothers don’t wonder whether they’ll give birth in the dark, or whether there will be electricity to power critical life-saving medical devices – microgrid technologies help to make that possible.”
This initiative is a testament to Schneider Electric’s commitment to bridging progress and sustainability, making a real difference in the lives of mothers and children in Guatemala and beyond.