Riyadh - Sharikat Mubasher: ACWA Power, the world’s largest private water desalination company and a leader in energy transition, officially opened its first overseas Innovation Centre in Pudong New Area, Shanghai.

With an investment of $2.8 million in the first phase, the new facility will focus on developing and deploying innovative solutions in five key areas: photovoltaics, wind, energy storage, green hydrogen, and seawater desalination, the company announced in a recent press release.

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), to equip the Innovation Centre with the talent and technical expertise to nurture groundbreaking projects and tackle industry challenges.

The center includes a research and development (R&D) Center and a Green Energy Laboratory and aims to foster a dynamic ecosystem, bringing together government entities, state-owned enterprises, startups, OEMs, universities, research institutions, and certification authorities to drive innovation throughout the entire project lifecycle.

Saleh Khabti, President of China at ACWA Power, stated that the launch of the Innovation Center in Shanghai is a testament to the company’s commitment to global collaboration and technological advancement. “Through partnerships with leading organizations, we aim to accelerate the development and deployment of sustainable energy and water solutions, not just in China, but across our global network,” Khabti said.

For his part, Bart Boesmans, Chief Technology Officer at ACWA Power, commented: “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.”

Moreover, the Innovation Center will serve as a platform for collaboration with Chinese partners, building a vibrant innovation ecosystem in the Pudong New Area. It 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.