DUBAI, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- Middle Eastern countries are accelerating investment in power infrastructure and cleaner energy, creating new opportunities for cooperation with Chinese companies in grids, renewables, storage and electric-vehicle charging, exhibitors said at the Middle East Energy 2026 exhibition in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The three-day event, which ended on Thursday, brought together more than 1,900 energy companies from over 150 countries and regions and about 35,000 visitors, according to organizers.

The exhibition highlighted the region's expanding energy transition, with grid modernization, energy storage, digitalisation and rising power demand from artificial intelligence and data centers among the key themes.

Chinese exhibitors showcased products ranging from transformers, switchgear and power transmission systems to solar, energy storage and electric-vehicle charging solutions, seeking to tap the region's growing demand for modern power infrastructure.

UAE Energy and Infrastructure Minister Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei said at the opening that the UAE was building a more diversified energy mix while strengthening energy security and accelerating the shift towards cleaner and more sustainable energy.

Governments, industry, investors, technology companies, academia and financial institutions needed to work together to improve energy efficiency, promote innovation and cut costs, he said, adding that greater regional power interconnection would help build more efficient and resilient energy systems.

For Chinese power equipment makers, the shift is creating opportunities beyond traditional generation projects, extending to power grids, energy storage and end-use electrification.

"Renewable energy and power infrastructure construction in the Middle East is accelerating, and market demand is still growing," said Xia Guangfu, a representative at China Electrical Equipment Group Co., Ltd. At the exhibition, the company showcased transformers, power towers, switchgear and energy storage systems.

The UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman have been expanding solar and wind projects in recent years, boosting demand for transmission and distribution equipment, Xia added.

The region's energy transition is also generating demand for infrastructure linked to electric vehicles and distributed energy systems.

"Although the Middle East is rich in oil and gas resources, the growing number of electric vehicles is driving demand for charging infrastructure," said Shi Yu, marketing and project management manager of the overseas business division at Shanghai Electric Group Power Transmission & Distribution Equipment Co., Ltd.

The company's solar, storage and charging solutions also drew inquiries from visitors, particularly from the UAE and Saudi Arabia, where some high-consumption residential properties face relatively high electricity costs, Shi said.

He noted that continued urban development and the region's energy transition were likely to generate further demand for power infrastructure upgrades.

For some Chinese manufacturers, the opportunity is already translating into new contracts.

Hunan Guochuang Electric Power Co., Ltd. signed contracts worth more than 210 million yuan (about 31 million U.S. dollars) through customer visits before and during the exhibition, said Fan Liming, the company's general manager.

Guochuang has participated in the Middle East Energy exhibition four times, Fan said, adding that power markets in the region continued to expand, while countries such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia were placing greater emphasis on smart manufacturing and digital production.

That trend is raising expectations for the technological content and quality of power equipment, he added.