Walking into the location of the Al Shubah Photovoltaic Power Station project in Jeddah, Mecca Province, Saudi Arabia, rows of photovoltaic solar panels are neatly arranged. Looking around, the ripples shimmer like rushing streams, bringing vitality to this place. In October 2024, the Saudi Arabia Al Shubah 2.6GW photovoltaic power station project ASB2 area, which was contracted and constructed by China Energy Engineering Corporation, successfully completed the reverse power transmission of 2GW and connected to the grid for the first time. This marks the official entry into operation of the project, laying a solid foundation for the next step of full capacity grid connected power generation. Behind the successful grid connected power generation of the project is a vivid epitome of win-win cooperation between Chinese and foreign enterprises.

As a comprehensive partner in the technical solutions, equipment supply, and services of the project booster station and centralized control center, Schneider Electric has always been active in both the early preparation and project construction. It is affectionately referred to by the general contracting project management department as a “good partner” for China Energy Construction’s overseas project construction.

It is understood that the Alshubach photovoltaic power station project is the largest single photovoltaic power station project under construction in the world. Being able to become a partner for the electrical application products and solutions of this project, and assisting China Energy Construction in its overseas voyage, is inseparable from Schneider Electric’s rich experience in the energy and power field, as well as Schneider Electric’s global efficient network and collaborative system. Schneider Electric’s business covers more than 100 countries around the world. We adhere to the concept of ‘originating from global accumulation, relying on China center, empowering global business’, and work together with various global operation centers to solve the challenges faced by Chinese enterprises going global, “said Lv Ning, the head of Schneider Electric’s overseas business in China, to the People’s Daily Overseas Network.

We have learned that China Energy Engineering Corporation will widely adopt digital and intelligent technologies in the Alshubach photovoltaic power plant project, aiming to make it a landmark project for China Energy Engineering Corporation’s overseas photovoltaic projects. We believe that we must leverage Schneider Electric’s global industrial technology leadership advantages in electrification, automation, and digitization to contribute to China Energy Engineering Corporation’s iconic project. “Lv Ning said in an interview with People’s Daily Overseas Network,” At the beginning of the project launch, we relied on Schneider Electric’s deep accumulation in the Saudi Arabian market for many years, deeply researched the local market situation and power standards, assisted China Energy Engineering Corporation in understanding the local market, and provided photovoltaic industry power system solutions and technical support that meet the needs of the Saudi Arabian market

He further explained, “During the project execution phase, we used Schneider Electric’s professional power system simulation software platform to conduct detailed verification of the project’s power system scheme. This not only helped the client conduct compliance analysis, but also achieved comprehensive optimization of the scheme, ultimately winning recognition from the project owner

Schneider Electric project manager Wang Banxu recalled the project delivery process, saying, “We faced many challenges in this project, with large load changes, multiple design adjustments, and a very tight schedule. The production and delivery process involved multiple countries’ related business units, which further increased the complexity of the work

Facing difficulties and challenges, Schneider Electric plays the role of a “sea traveler”. In order to ensure the smooth progress of the project, we established a dedicated project team, overcame the time difference between domestic and international, coordinated industry experts, Schneider Electric engineers, and customers for multiple discussions, jointly discussed solutions, and conducted strict testing and verification to ensure feasibility and stability. Everyone worked towards the same goal, leveraging Schneider Electric’s efficient supply chain and other production advantages in China, and ultimately prioritized the production and delivery of project equipment, “Wang Banxu added.

In recent years, Middle Eastern countries, especially the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, have been undergoing energy and economic transformations. Xiong Gaoxia, the person in charge of the China Energy Construction Alshunbach Photovoltaic Power Station Project, told the People’s Daily overseas website that “the company has optimized the whole process of the Alshunbach project with the goal of building a benchmark project of jointly building the the Belt and Road. Schneider Electric’s participation has helped the project achieve the green and low-carbon construction requirements in all aspects and helped China Energy Construction establish a high-end brand image in the Middle East.”

Li Mingjun, a professor of management at China Europe International Business School, said that foreign-funded enterprises play an important role in the “going global” strategy of Chinese enterprises. These multinational corporations are known for their brand and product advantages, or channel advantages, leading Chinese products and local brands into the international market.

It is understood that years of technological accumulation, good global collaboration, customer service capabilities, and international product standards are important reasons why companies like Schneider Electric can help Chinese enterprises go global. As early as more than a decade ago, Schneider Electric China established an overseas business team to promote the organization and coordination of Schneider Electric’s global resources, empowering Chinese enterprises to go global, including engineering general contracting enterprises, foreign investment enterprises, design supervision, and partner units.

Nowadays, more and more Chinese companies are choosing to expand overseas, and their overseas business expansion models are constantly innovating. Schneider Electric is also constantly innovating and upgrading its enterprise development model to better empower Chinese companies to transition from ‘going out’ to ‘going in’, “said Lv Ning. It is reported that Schneider Electric’s participation in the Alshubach photovoltaic power plant project maximizes the use of localized components, providing more than 3000 job opportunities for the local area and promoting local economic and social development. In the next 35 years, the total power generation of the project will reach approximately 282.2 billion kilowatt hours, equivalent to reducing carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 245 million tons, which is equivalent to planting 545 million trees in the desert.

Industry experts say that the Middle East and other regions are becoming popular destinations for Chinese new energy companies to “go global”. “At present, China’s new energy enterprises are leading the world. In order to coordinate with the trend of large-scale new energy enterprises going to sea, Schneider Electric conducts research on power systems in areas where Chinese new energy enterprises go to sea in a concentrated way, and deeply studies the characteristics of power system applications in the new energy industry, and develops corresponding solutions for the industry. In the future, Schneider Electric and Chinese enterprises will continue to carry out all-round and in-depth cooperation, and work together to promote the high-quality development of the the Belt and Road Initiative.” Lu Ning told the overseas website of People’s Daily.