ACWA Power Increases Its Shareholding to 74% in RAWEC

ACWA Power Increases Its Shareholding to 74% in RAWEC
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ACWA Power Increases Its Shareholding to 74% in RAWEC

ACWA Power Increases Its Shareholding to 74% in RAWEC

Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power announced the completion of the acquisition of certain shares and debt instruments of Japan’s Marubeni Corporation in Rabigh Arabian Water & Electricity Company as well as certain shares owned by Marubeni in RAWEC’s Operations & Maintenance Company known as Rabigh Power Company.

With that, ACWA Power increased its shareholding to 74 percent in RAWEC after buying all of Marubeni’s stake.

RAWEC is the captive utility provider to Rabigh Refining and Petrochemical Company (“Petro Rabigh Corporation”), a joint venture formed in 2005 between Japan’s Sumitomo Chemical and Saudi Aramco which owns, operates, and manages the Rabigh petrochemical complex. The complex comprises of integrated oil refining and petrochemical operations that produce a variety of refined petroleum and petrochemical products at Rabigh in the Kingdom.

RAWEC owns and operates a conventional thermal power plant and desalination facility with a total installed capacity of 840 MW Power, 6,110 t/h Steam and 12,000 t/h Water, situated approximately 160 km north of Jeddah.

According to ACWA Power’s statement, RAWEC supplies the utilities to Petro Rabigh under a long term take. RAWEC plant comprises of two phases which were commissioned in 2008 and 2016 that run as an integrated operation and is also synchronized to the Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) electricity grid providing a non-stop and highly reliable utility supply to Petro Rabigh Corporation.

RPC is a company responsible for the operations and maintenance of the RAWEC plant as per a long term agreement signed with RAWEC.

The purchase of the target securities was carried out pursuant to certain pre-emptive and other rights that ACWA Power had with respect to the shares held by other shareholders in RAWEC and RPC.

Accordingly, ACWA Power exercised its rights in May 2018 and the physical securities transfer was consummated on March 13, 2019, after securing various consents and completing other regulatory processes.

President & CEO of ACWA Power Paddy Padmanathan commented on the acquisition saying the purchase of additional shares in RAWEC and RPC to increase the existing majority ownership demonstrates the company’s confidence in this utility complex and its desire to further strengthen the partnership with its key client Petro Rabigh Corporation.

CIO of ACWA Power Rajit Nanda noted that by acquiring Marubeni’s Shares in RAWEC and RPC “we intend to build upon our recent successes in the power generation and water desalination sector in the kingdom and the rest of the world and consolidate our position as a major power and water utilities provider to creditworthy energy-intensive industrial customers like Petro Rabigh Corporation.”



Gulf States Accelerate Adoption of Unified Digital Government Platforms

A Tawakkalna app events in Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
A Tawakkalna app events in Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Gulf States Accelerate Adoption of Unified Digital Government Platforms

A Tawakkalna app events in Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
A Tawakkalna app events in Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Gulf governments are moving swiftly to leverage modern technology in reshaping citizen-government relations, with a strong push toward digital transformation and more efficient, user-centric public services.

At the forefront of this shift are unified government applications that constitute comprehensive digital platforms that combine smart technology with seamless usability.

According to a recent study by Strategy& Middle East, a member of the PwC network, these platforms are no longer optional but have become strategic necessities.

The study, titled “Unified Government Apps: Smart Choices for Services and Cost Control,” highlights that citizens and residents can now complete services such as issuing birth certificates, renewing business licenses, or applying for social support within minutes, without physically visiting a government office.

Tawakkalna: A Saudi Model

Saudi Arabia’s Tawakkalna app, originally launched as a health tool during the COVID-19 pandemic, has since evolved into a comprehensive digital gateway offering over 1,100 government services.

Dr. Esam Al-Wagait, Director of the National Information Center at the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), noted the Kingdom’s aim to build a proactive digital government powered by AI.

“We are creating an integrated system that uses advanced technology to predict citizen needs and deliver personalized experiences aligned with smart and sustainable city goals,” he said.

Engineer Saleh Mosaibah, Deputy Director of the National Information Center, added that unified platforms enhance inter-agency collaboration, reduce operational costs, strengthen cybersecurity, and boost Saudi Arabia’s regional and global competitiveness.

Challenges and Solutions

Despite progress, the study noted operational and technical challenges remain, particularly around user expectations for faster, smoother service. Repeated logins and redundant data entry were identified as key obstacles.

Engineer Hani Zein, Partner at Strategy& Middle East, stressed the need for seamless, single-entry platforms powered by artificial intelligence.

“Unified interfaces are the future. They improve service delivery, enhance quality of life, and align with Gulf digital transformation goals,” he said.

Investment and Private Sector Integration

Experts stress that building such applications requires significant investment in IT infrastructure, data integration, and cybersecurity. “These are not just tech expenses, they are investments in smarter, more cost-efficient governance,” said Mosaibah.

The private sector also presents growth opportunities. Licensed companies could offer services through government platforms for a fee, or strategic partnerships could bring in private funding and innovation without straining public budgets.

Building a Sustainable Model

To ensure sustainability, Zein recommends a three-pillar approach: an agile operational model inspired by startups, strong legal and financial frameworks, and robust risk management systems. These foundations, he said, enable governments to move quickly, innovate freely, and maintain public trust.

With the right strategy, Zein and Mosaibah believe Saudi Arabia is well-positioned to set global standards for integrated digital government, offering a world-class experience for citizens and residents alike.