HARBIN -- China's Harbin Electric and Saudi Arabian company ACWA Power will jointly build a coal-fired power plant in Dubai to supply the Dubai World Exhibition in 2020.

The 1,200-megawatt clean coal power plant is the first commitment under a deal the two companies signed in December to explore the power generating market in the Middle East, Asia and Africa, said Harbin Electric.

Lasting six months, the Dubai World Exhibition is expected to attract millions of visitors to exhibits and cultural events.

Harbin Electric Corporation, China's largest producer and exporter of power generation equipment, has constructed more than 50 power plants in more than 20 countries.

ACWA Power is a power generation and water desalination developer.