Schneider Electric India stands at the forefront of energy management and home automation, relentlessly driving sustainability and efficiency across industries. As an integral part of the global Schneider Electric group—operating in over 100 countries—the India division harnesses deep expertise to serve diverse sectors, including infrastructure, data centers, buildings, and homes. The company’s mission is clear: empower individuals and businesses to maximize energy and resources while bridging progress and sustainability. This vision comes to life in their philosophy—”Life Is On.”
With a robust portfolio of IoT-enabled solutions, Schneider Electric India enhances safety, reliability, and sustainability in energy management and automation. Their end-to-end lifecycle solutions seamlessly integrate connected products, automation systems, software, and services, delivering digital twins that drive profitable growth for customers.
Innovation remains at the heart of Schneider Electric India. The company consistently introduces advanced products and services, reinforcing its leadership in sustainable and efficient energy solutions nationwide.
At IETF 2025, The Interview World engaged in an exclusive conversation with Sumati Sahgal, Vice President – Retail, Schneider Electric India. She delved into Schneider’s groundbreaking innovations in home automation, offering insights into how the company strategically balances affordability with innovation and quality in India’s competitive landscape. She also explored key market opportunities and outlined Schneider’s positioning for the next 5–10 years as India’s home automation market evolves.
Here are the key takeaways from her compelling discussion.
Q: How do Schneider’s home automation systems stand out from competitors, and what unique innovations set them apart in the market?
A: Home automation has undergone a profound transformation. It is no longer just about convenience and comfort. Instead, our solutions place energy management at the core of automation. With our advanced energy management system, users can monitor and analyze their energy consumption in real time. Armed with these insights, they can take proactive steps to reduce usage, ensuring comprehensive control over their energy consumption.
While automation inherently enhances convenience—and by extension, comfort—it now offers far more. By integrating energy conservation, our solutions empower users to make a tangible environmental impact. This holistic approach redefines smart living.
Our system provides end-to-end energy management, analyzing both input and output. It not only tracks power consumption from the grid but also seamlessly integrates alternative energy sources like solar and EV charging. On the output side, it delivers granular insights, allowing users to optimize energy usage at every level—whether at the plug, socket, or individual appliance. The result? A smarter, more efficient, and sustainable way to manage energy.
Q: How does Schneider position its pricing in India compared to competitors, balancing affordability with innovation and quality in the Indian price-benefit matrix?
A: Automation remains a highly fragmented market, spanning everything from basic smart plugs to fully integrated home automation systems. The spectrum is vast, allowing adoption at various levels based on user needs and preferences.
Our solution delivers a comprehensive, high-end automation experience. While positioned at the premium end of the market, it aligns with India’s evolving affordability trends. Household incomes have surged, and the definition of affordable luxury has shifted. Today, homes valued above ₹3 crore fall into this category, with homeowners seeking not just convenience but also meaningful impact.
For this segment, our solution offers exceptional value at a competitive price. Beyond automation, it delivers a tangible return on investment. From integrating solar power to optimizing energy use, homeowners can achieve substantial savings while enhancing efficiency. The result? A smarter, more sustainable home with long-term financial and environmental benefits.
Q: How does Schneider perceive India’s evolving home automation market, and what key opportunities make it a strategic growth area for the company?
A: With India’s massive population of 1.4 billion, the market has room for every segment. Home automation, though still in its early stages, is expanding at an extraordinary pace.
Despite its current single-digit penetration, adoption is accelerating. Over the next five to six years, we expect this figure to double, driven by rising consumer awareness, increasing affordability, and a growing demand for smart living solutions. The future of home automation in India is not just promising—it’s inevitable.
Q: How do you foresee India’s home automation market evolving, and where does Schneider position itself in the next 5–10 years?
A: Cushman & Wakefield’s research underscores the rapid growth of automation—not just in homes but across the entire building segment, including commercial and residential spaces. Their projections indicate that by 2030, automation adoption will reach the early double digits, likely just under 15%. This trajectory highlights a vast and expanding market. As more buildings embrace automation to enhance energy efficiency, demand will surge across both residential and commercial sectors. The future of smart infrastructure is unfolding, and the opportunity is immense.
