Siemens recently embarked on a Green Cities Tour and Peter Löscher, president and CEO of Siemens AG, announced that the company will be creating 500 new green jobs in Africa.
Peter Löscher, president and CEO of Siemens AG
To support this drive, the company has used South Africa as a base for its Wind Power Centre of Competence for Africa and the Middle East. “We are building engineering expertise with a focus on local skills development and entering into partnerships with local suppliers for the manufacture of various components,” said Löscher. “In addition to the 500 new green jobs that we will create, our efforts will also result in many more jobs for our partners and suppliers.” This is good news considering that Siemens has 2000 local suppliers in South Africa and a further 1000 on the continent.
Siemens has also commissioned the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) to compile the African Green City Index. This is a unique research study that compares the environmental performance and policies of 15 African cities. Dr Paul Kielstra, contributing editor of the EIU, gave a preview of the results for Johannesburg. “It is one of the greenest cities in the index and ranks above average overall,” said Kielstra. “It has the second highest amount of green space among the 15 index cities and an extensive bus network, as well as generally robust environmental policies, especially for clean energy and congestion reduction,” he added.
By 2012, Siemens wants to triple new orders in Africa from the 2009 levels to €3 billion and is investing €200 million into building partnerships with African companies over two years. Last November the annual global Siemens board meeting was held for the first time in Africa.
On a global level, the company plans to increase its revenue to €100 billion in the medium term and Löscher pointed out that Africa has an important role to play. “Thanks to our history here, we have built solid partnerships and an intimate knowledge of the market, resulting in a firm foundation for our sustainable future on the continent,” he concluded.
Meeting the Western Cape’s occupational health and safety needs
News
“A-OSH EXPO Cape Town is a dedicated platform where visitors can explore the latest products, services and training to safeguard their teams, improve workplace conditions, and ensure compliance with evolving legislation.
Read more...Bühler hosts Student Career Expo
News
Bühler Southern Africa recently hosted its fourth annual Student Career Expo, reaffirming its commitment to inspiring and guiding the next generation towards diverse and rewarding career possibilities.
Read more...The unseen crisis in our taps
News
South Africa’s water crisis is no longer looming. It is already here. To move forward, water treatment must become part of a broader infrastructure renewal agenda. This includes decentralised solutions, private-sector innovation and long-term investment.
Read more...A technical partnership that lasts Omniflex Remote Monitoring Specialists
News
Ian Loudon, international sales and marketing at remote monitoring specialist, Omniflex reflects on the longevity of the partnership with Sasol, the key technology milestones along the way, and the most recent project in South Africa.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.
printer friendly version