The Saudi group ACWA, recognized as one of the global leaders in desalination and a key player in new energy value chains, has placed Morocco at the center of its communication during the closing of the Innovation Days 2026 held in Riyadh. Announcements regarding the Kingdom opened the event’s final message, showcasing a clear intention to strengthen the links between ACWA’s industrial platforms and the Moroccan scientific ecosystem, particularly in the areas of green hydrogen, water technologies, and advanced energy solutions.
At the forefront is the agreement reached with the Institute for Research in Solar Energy and New Energies (IRESEN). According to ACWA, this partnership aims to connect Morocco’s applied research capabilities to large-scale industrial projects, promoting the launch of joint programs that could yield tangible economic benefits. The goal is to align scientific innovation with industrial needs in a sector where the global race is now determined by the ability to quickly transform technology into large-scale production.
A second framework of cooperation involves ACWA, IRESEN, and the CleanTech Business Club. This initiative is part of international arrangements dedicated to clean hydrogen, with a clearly stated ambition: to structure trans-regional networks, facilitate technology transfers, and develop projects with high industrial value. For the Saudi group, these agreements confirm Morocco’s credibility as a scientific and industrial hub in strategic segments, both in energy and water.
### A Wave of Partnerships in Hydrogen, Water, and Storage
The Innovation Days 2026 concluded with the announcement of 27 partnerships covering several areas considered priorities for the coming years: green hydrogen, advanced desalination, long-duration energy storage, and industrial digital tools.
On the hydrogen front, ACWA detailed several technological alliances aimed at securing “bankable” industrial pathways that can be replicated on a large scale. Among the partnerships mentioned is a collaboration with Topsoe on ammonia technologies from the Yanbu project, as well as an agreement with Baker Hughes and Nuovo Pignone International for compression systems and integrated solutions. The group also discusses collaborations with European, American, and Chinese players on next-generation electrolyzers, particularly PEM, SOEC, and AEM technologies, deemed essential for improving efficiency, reducing costs, and accelerating the transition to industrialization.
The water aspect has led to agreements on high-pressure desalination membranes, gravitational steam compression processes, and AI-driven control solutions. ACWA asserts that these technologies should reduce the unit costs of producing fresh water while managing energy constraints in a context where water pressure is becoming a strategic concern for many countries.
Energy storage has also been highlighted, with thermal and chemical solutions presented as essential levers for stabilizing electrical grids. For ACWA, the massive integration of renewable energies will necessarily depend on technologies that ensure continuity of supply, particularly in markets where solar and wind production is expected to grow significantly.
### A Confident International Strategy
Beyond the agreements announced in Riyadh, ACWA has confirmed the extension of its operations with the launch of the Innovation Days Shanghai in October 2026. This move towards China is described as a strategic choice aimed at bridging research, engineering, and manufacturing capabilities in an environment known for its advancements in electrochemistry, artificial intelligence, and industrialization.
According to the group, this approach should shorten the timelines between pilot phases and commercial deployment, accelerating the transformation of innovations into operational industrial solutions. The ambition is clear: to occupy a central position in global markets for energy, water, and hydrogen, by structuring an ecosystem of partners capable of powering large-scale projects.
### A High-Level Meeting Between Research and Industry
The Innovation Days 2026 brought together several international academic and economic institutions, including the MIT Sloan School of Management, Stanford, UCLA, Tsinghua University, KAUST, BloombergNEF, the Boston Consulting Group, the Cambridge Innovation Center, and NICE in China. On the Saudi side, entities like KACST, K.A.CARE, KAUST, and Aramco Ventures also participated in the discussions.
For ACWA, this convergence between universities, think tanks, consultancy firms, and industry players serves as a tool for economic structuring. The objective is to transform scientific advancements into fully operational industrial assets, during a period when technologies related to energy, water, and hydrogen are set to become pillars of growth and economic sovereignty.
### A Strong Signal for Morocco
By placing Moroccan announcements at the forefront of its final communication, ACWA sends a political and economic signal: Morocco is seen as a credible partner in the industries of the future, capable of creating industrial value, attracting investments, and supporting the energy transition.
IRESEN’s positioning at the heart of this dynamic also underscores the importance placed on applied research and the strengthening of a local ecosystem capable of engaging with major international operators. In a context where green hydrogen, desalination, and storage are becoming strategic markets, such cooperation could enhance the Kingdom’s standing in the new global value chains.