Schneider Electric, a global leader in energy management and automation, has officially opened its new smart factory in Dunavecse, Hungary. Spanning 28,000 square meters, this state-of-the-art facility will employ up to 500 people and significantly enhance the company’s production capacity for engineering-to-order (ETO) solutions tailored to customer specifications across Europe. Notably, 90% of the factory’s output will be exported to European markets.
Meeting Rising Demand for Electrification and Digitalization
This investment aligns with the growing demand for electrification and digital solutions across Europe, driven by the energy transition and the burgeoning data center and cloud services sectors. Electricity distribution utilities increasingly seek resilient and flexible solutions to support their networks, while digitalization and emerging technologies continue to drive market growth.
Schneider Electric’s Largest ETO Factory in Europe
The Dunavecse plant is Schneider Electric’s 36th smart factory and the largest ETO facility in Europe, bringing the total number of ETO factories in the region to 22. It will serve as the core manufacturing site for Schneider Electric’s latest SF6-free medium voltage switchgear, RM AirSeT. This innovation significantly enhances the sustainability of medium voltage switchgear, crucial for decarbonized power systems essential to the energy transition. The technology complies with stringent new F-gas regulations in Europe, impacting all medium voltage switchgear users from grids to infrastructure.
Innovation, Sustainability, and Digital Solutions
“Europe is accelerating through the energy transition and strengthening its energy independence,” stated Yann Reynaud, Senior Vice President, Global Engineering to Order Operations. “Dunavecse is our new flagship factory in Europe for smart medium and low voltage SF6-free technologies, supporting the increasing demand across the region and bringing more innovation, sustainability, and digital solutions to our customers.”
Sustainable Features of the Dunavecse Plant
The Dunavecse factory incorporates numerous sustainability technologies, including:
- EcoStruxure IoT Solutions: Schneider Electric’s Building and Energy Management System, which enhances energy efficiency with anticipated savings of up to 25%.
- Renewable Energy: The factory's energy needs are met by rooftop solar panels, supplemented by renewable sources from the grid.
- Geothermal Heat Pumps: Used for heating and cooling.
- Electric Vehicle Charging Stations: Accommodates up to 30 electric cars and 25 electric bicycles.
- Rainwater Collection: Utilized for bathrooms and irrigation.
- Airlocks: Prevent heat loss at truck-docking stations and factory entrances.
This new facility underscores Schneider Electric’s commitment to innovation and sustainability, reinforcing its leadership in the digital transformation of energy management and automation across Europe.