TAIF GC signs a cooperation agreement with French corporation Schneider Electric

Promising areas of cooperation

The schedule of the visit of Schneider Electric's delegation in Kazan was quite busy, so right after they sat down at the negotiating table, the sides outlined directions for further cooperation.

The first issue for discussion was electric power transmission. ''We are one of few companies in Russia that consumes large amounts of energy both electric and thermal,'' said Director General of TAIF Albert Shigabutdinov. Besides, the Tatarstan holding sees common ground in the management of energy systems and the use of the Automated Process Control System (APCS), which are manufactured by Schneider Electric. The fourth direction of the work relates to internal integration of all supply streams of the Group companies and the construction of new facilities with high commodity value. According to Shigabutdinov, an important component of both areas is electricity transmission with minimum losses and with the highest guaranteed reliability.

Right after they sat down at the negotiating table, the sides outlined directions for further cooperation

Software for integration of supplies

According to Director General of TAIF, in the early 2000s, there could be from 50 to 70 blackouts at the enterprises. Last year, there was almost zero blackouts. ''But it would be wrong to say that everything is fine. There is equipment that is obsolete. It needs upgrading, repairing. There is a great deal of work,'' stated Albert Shigabutdinov.

TAIF has also raised questions how to control these lines so that they were optimal and cost-effective. Besides, they are concerned about the problem of information security. Many processes in energy have become automated. In this case, it is important to ensure a high level of protection against cyber attacks.

Every year the corporation invests 1.2 billion euros in research direction, told Emmanuel Babeau

Deputy Chief Executive Officer in charge of Finance and Legal Affairs at Schneider Electric Emmanuel Babeau pointed out that on these problems the company is ready to offer possible solutions. As Babeau told, every year the corporation invests 1.2 billion euros in research direction. At the present time, the company has five global R&D centers: France, the USA (Boston and San Francisco), China, India. Schneider Electric plans to add Russia to the list of these countries. ''When we made the decision to begin implementation of the plan in Innopolis, we began to think about what research we would tell about. So we settled on two main areas: oil and gas and petrochemical. They are precisely the areas where TAIF works,'' said Babeau.

Schneider Electric has software that provides an opportunity to integrate the supply chain and that integrates the processes managed by the Tatarstan holding. ''We plan to customize this software in the language that you use. We will be engaged in the evolution of software. But the development will not be successful unless we are engaged in dialogue with the companies-consumers so that they could tell about their sore points,'' said the financial director of the French company. The key point of this software is the planning and graphics.

Thorny issue of cybersecurity

Schneider Electric will also offer a solution to cybersecurity problem. ''The boundaries of enterprises should be protected from outside penetration. But first, we need to understand the provisions of the Russian legislation, which regulate this issue,'' said Babeau.

Besides, according to representatives of Schneider Electric, the company can offer the experience of cooperation with contractors. ''If to speak about the project of the olefin complex, we know that the German company Linde is working as a contractor. We have experience with such companies. We, as a big corporation, are interested in participating in this project. We are happy to show not only our solutions but also opportunities,'' assured the participants Emmanuel Babeau.

At the end of the meeting, the head of TAIF offered Schneider Electric to create a working group that would develop a mechanism for participation in the tender for EPC contract

Then, Albert Shigabutdinov outlined again the major projects of the Group of companies. At the end of the meeting, the head of TAIF offered Schneider Electric to create a working group that would develop a mechanism for participation in the tender for EPC contract. ''After that, we will discuss and approve the concept. Let this same group will work out the mechanism of work on ETP. This point has stalled,'' appealed to the French delegation Albert Shigabutdinov.

''Schneider Electric is interested in participating in your projects. And you can count on our commitment and support,'' said in his turn Emmanuel Babeau.

The talks ended with the signing of an agreement on further cooperation.