China's tech vital for Arab clean energy drive

Solar cells, wind turbines, hydropower stations are being built

China's technology and expertise in the field of renewable energy are vital for the transformation of Arab states toward further use of clean energy, an Egyptian official told Xinhua in a recent interview.

"China is distinguished with the highest renewable energy capabilities in the world, whether wind or solar energy, and it has the largest power grids and networks worldwide," said Mohamed Mousa, first undersecretary for research, planning and international cooperation at Egypt's Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy.

"So, cooperation with China in the field of energy is vital for Arab states," he told Xinhua.

Chinese corporations are currently working on a number of energy projects in several Arab states including Egypt, Morocco, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Jordan.

"We're working with China's Sinohydro on the construction of a major pumped-storage hydropower plant in the Ataqah Mountains in the Suez province of northeastern Egypt with a capacity of 2,400 megawatts, as well as our cooperation with the State Grid Corporation of China and Huawei," he said.

Dongfang Electric and Shanghai Electric corporations are also building a coal-fired power plant in Hamrawein region on the Red Sea coast with a total generating capacity of 6,000 megawatts.

In Morocco, Shandong Electric Power Construction Co., Ltd, a subsidiary of the Power Construction Corporation of China, has been constructing the giant Noor Solar Complex in Morocco's Ouarzazate, which is expected to provide clean energy for more than 1 million Moroccan homes after completion.

Meanwhile in the UAE, China's Harbin Electric International cooperates with Saudi Arabia's ACWA Power in a joint venture to build the Hassyan Clean Coal project in Dubai. The power plant is comprised of four units that will generate 600 megawatts each after completion and uses ultra-supercritical technology.

Mousa said that it is a win-win situation when China establishes renewable energy sector in Egypt and other Arab states, "such as solar cells, concentrated solar power stations, wind energy stations and other renewable energy projects."

"We hope to host a training center for renewable energy in Egypt in cooperation with the Chinese side," the official said.

He said that Chinese experts train Egyptian engineers every year in China to familiarize them with all the new energy technologies.

"When it comes to technology transfer, China is a very good model for technology transfer to the Arab world, for it provides technology without restrictions, conditions or other issues," Mousa added.

China is the second largest trade partner with the Arab world and the number one trade partner with 10 Arab states.  

"We value and encourage Arab-Chinese and Egyptian-Chinese cooperation in energy and all other fields, which are backed by the political leaderships from both sides," the Egyptian official said.