OCOMEC and IFCCI Drive Sustainable Change Through Multi-City Education, Clean Energy and Plastic Waste Management Initiative

The project reflects SOCOMEC’s continued commitment to social and environmental responsibility by integrating education, renewable energy and environmental conservation into a unified framework designed to create long-term and scalable benefits.

Under the clean and green energy component, solar panel systems were installed in seven government schools, including two schools in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, and five schools in Noida and Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh. The installations are expected to generate approximately 35,000 to 50,000 kWh of renewable energy annually, reducing carbon emissions and supporting energy-efficient learning environments for students.

In the field of education, the initiative continued the operation of educational centres established in 2024 for children from high-risk and underserved communities. These centres currently support more than 80 primary-level students by providing structured after-school academic assistance, mentoring and creative learning opportunities. The programme has contributed to improved learning outcomes, reduced school dropout rates and strengthened efforts to ensure students complete their education successfully.

The project also addressed environmental conservation through a zero plastic waste management programme at Prabhadevi and Dadar beaches in Mumbai. Under this initiative, more than 15,000 kilograms of marine plastic waste are collected and recycled annually. The programme has additionally supported upcycling activities that have generated livelihood opportunities for local waste pickers.

Employee engagement formed a key component of the initiative. More than 35 employees from SOCOMEC Group and IFCCI participated in activities at educational centres in Dwarka, Delhi, and at Prabhadevi Beach in Mumbai during the project launch. These efforts, combined with community outreach and sustainability awareness programmes, have helped promote environmental responsibility among students, employees and local communities.

Speaking on the initiative, Meenu Singhal, Regional Managing Director, SOCOMEC Greater India, said that sustainability is not merely a commitment but a responsibility actively embraced by the organisation. He stated that Project Edu-Sustain has enabled the company to create meaningful impact by combining clean energy, education and environmental stewardship. He also highlighted the contribution of SOCOMEC volunteers whose active participation helped bring the initiative to life at the community level, reaffirming the company’s commitment to building a cleaner, greener and more inclusive future.

Nida Khanam, Head of Human Resources, SOCOMEC Greater India, said that the recent volunteering activities, including the beach clean-up campaign and visits to educational centres in Mumbai and New Delhi, demonstrated employees’ personal commitment to corporate social responsibility. She noted that the partnership with IFCCI transformed corporate values into practical action, from removing waste along the coastline to engaging with students at educational centres, proving that sustainable change begins with a shared vision and collective effort.

Payal S. Kanwar, Director General of the Indo-French Chamber of Commerce & Industry, said that education and sustainability remain essential drivers of long-term social transformation. She stated that Project Edu-Sustain is creating meaningful impact by combining quality education, environmental responsibility and clean energy solutions, empowering communities while contributing to a more sustainable future.

Established in 1922, SOCOMEC is a global specialist in low-voltage power switching, monitoring and power conversion solutions. The company employs approximately 4,400 people worldwide and operates 12 production facilities and more than 30 subsidiaries across five continents. In India, SOCOMEC maintains a presence through 12 branch offices and a modern manufacturing facility in Gurugram, Haryana. Drawing on more than a century of expertise, the company continues to develop solutions that enhance energy performance across data centres, healthcare facilities, infrastructure projects and industrial and commercial sites while ensuring reliable power supply for critical and non-critical operations.

Founded in 1977, the Indo-French Chamber of Commerce & Industry is among the most active bilateral chambers in India. The organisation represents more than 800 member companies and operates 17 sector- and function-focused committees. As part of a global network of 126 French chambers across 95 countries, representing more than 37,000 companies, IFCCI works to facilitate business and networking opportunities, strengthen trade relations and encourage economic, commercial and investment cooperation between India and France.

Project Edu-Sustain stands as a significant example of how corporate partnerships can combine education, renewable energy and environmental conservation to create measurable and lasting benefits for communities while advancing the broader goals of sustainability and inclusive development.