Community Development

Amplifying the Kingdom's next generation of innovators

We continue to support the immense potential of Saudi youth to originate progressive and sustainable ideas.

To highlight the efforts of the next generation of innovators, ‘The Power is Within You’ is an initiative which includes an incubation program designed to help develop winning ideas, using a dedicated training and mentoring process.

The program empowers youth in the Kingdom to create, ideate and innovate three specific categories in the power and water sectors. It is inspired by ACWA Power’s commitment to playing a major role in achieving the renewable energy goals set out in Vision 2030 and its successful track record of utilizing cutting-edge technology to transform operations.

In 2021, a judging panel of senior leaders from ACWA Power and our flagship institute, The Higher Institute for Water and Power Technologies (HIWPT), selected three of the most innovative ideas for 90 days of incubation and development support, following an extensive screening and selection process of online entries and virtual presentations from shortlisted applicants.

Driving community impact

ACWA Power has always considered itself to be an integral member of the communities in which it operates. We prioritize community engagement and address the most pressing issues our communities face with relevant CSR programs. We are fully committed to community development, social responsibility and supporting sustainable livelihoods.

We channel resources to CSR initiatives wherever we operate – whether mandated by the terms of our agreements or not – and encourage our business units operating in diverse geographies to factor CSR considerations into their operations. When launching CSR initiatives, due consideration is given to the diversity of regional cultures, values and customs. In 2021, most of our CSR support was allocated to supporting various social and environmental initiatives in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Morocco and South Africa.

Some of our key CSR initiatives in 2021 included:

Supporting the development of Saudi technicians
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, RAWEC
The program’s main objective is to develop the skills and employability of Saudi youth. We provided training to five Saudi students, who were then hired by the Emad Ba Wazier construction company, which supplies young Saudi technicians to the market.

Supporting local development of the Al Madinah AlMunawara region
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Al Madinah AlMunawara region
Namaa AlMunawara, the implementation arm for Waqf Al Munawara (Al Munawara Endowment), enables sustainable socio-economic development in the Al Madinah AlMunawara region by supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which are considered to be one of the most vibrant and important sectors in the Kingdom because they generate work opportunities and drive the economy.

Namaa Al Munawara’s initiatives include the Industrial City initiative for supporting retail sales; another for supporting Madinah-made products; manufacturing and creativity labs - comprising fully integrated workplaces dedicated to the women of Madinah - for nurturing women's employment and creative capabilities; and the One-Stop Shop, which provides the various governmental and consultancy services that entrepreneurs may need under one roof.

Supporting local development through agriculture
Ouarzazate, Morocco

The almond plantation initiative in Ouarzazate has rehabilitated and treated more than 120,000 trees since 2015 and helped local farmers by doubling production and boosting sales. Treatment of the trees was carried out by the plot owners, who were equipped, trained and paid to work their own plantations.

The initiative is typical of ACWA Power’s long-term and sustainable approach:

• Farmers are hired to work their own land
• Long-term income for farmers
• An automated almond crushing unit has been built and handed over to the local union
• ACWA Power financed a working capital facility so the union can buy almonds from the farmers