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ACWA Power Launches its First Overseas Innovation Centre in China

asianwater
  • The RMB20 (USD2.76) million facility will focus on research and development in solar photovoltaics, wind energy, green hydrogen, energy storage and seawater desalination.
  • Key partnerships signed with Gulf Renewables Laboratory and Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

ACWA Power, one of the world’s largest private water desalination companies, leader in energy transition and first mover into green hydrogen, recently announced the official opening of its first overseas Innovation Centre in Pudong New Area, Shanghai. The state-of-the-art facility will focus on developing and deploying innovative solutions in five key areas: photovoltaics, wind, energy storage, green hydrogen and seawater desalination.

With an investment of RMB20 million (USD2.76 million) in the first phase, the Innovation Centre includes an R&D Centre and a Green Energy Laboratory. The facility has been awarded ‘Group Open Innovation (GOI)’ by the Pudong New Area Government.

During the opening ceremony, ACWA Power signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with two key partners, Gulf Renewables Laboratory (GRL) and Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU). The agreements will equip the Innovation Centre with the talent and technical expertise to nurture ground-breaking projects and tackle industry challenges.

The launch of our Innovation Centre in Shanghai is a testament to our commitment to global collaboration and technological advancement. Through partnerships with leading organisations, we aim to accelerate the development and deployment of sustainable energy and water solutions, not just in China, but across our global network.

Saleh Khabti, President of China, ACWA Power

The Centre aims to foster a dynamic ecosystem, bringing together government entities, state-owned enterprises, start-ups, OEMs, universities, research institutions, and certification authorities. This collaborative approach will drive innovation throughout the entire project lifecycle, from research to real world application.

Innovation is the driving force behind any organisation’s success, especially in the industry that we operate in. This state-of-the-art facility, combined with the deep expertise of our partners, will be a catalyst for innovation across ACWA Power’s entire value chain.

Bart Boesmans, Chief Technology Officer of ACWA Power.

The Centre will serve as a platform for collaboration with Chinese partners, building a vibrant innovation ecosystem in the Pudong New Area. The initiative also supports Saudi Vision 2030 and facilitates ACWA Power’s Strategy 2.0 and China strategy, emphasising the company’s dedication to global sustainability and technological leadership.

The Innovation Centre is expected to contribute significantly to both Saudi Arabia and China’s environmental goals, supporting the transition to a greener economy and fostering a collaborative environment for growth.

Earlier this year, ACWA Power announced its formal entry into China’s renewable energy market with investment agreements for over 1GW of projects across multiple provinces. By 2030, ACWA Power aims to invest up to USD30 billion in China, in line with its plans to triple overall assets under management to about USD250 billion globally.