With the new year comes a wave of new possibilities for countries around the international energy market. One such nation that has big plans for the new year is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with its massive and pioneering hydrogen project at NEOM. The Kingdom has become the go-to destination for oil and gas supply over the years, turning it into an economic powerhouse and a major player on the global energy stage. However, Saudi Arabia is nothing if not adaptable, and it pioneers new and exciting projects that can reshape the global energy market.
The NEOM Green Hydrogen project is moving closer to operations and production
The project is the flagship of the nation’s Public Investment Fund, and has positioned the Kingdom to once again lead the energy sector through its planned 2030 clean energy framework. The Kingdom’s framework enables large investments of public and international funds for the accelerated deployment of the renewable energy market, with hydrogen playing a key role.
The Kingdom’s Vision 2030 calls for the integration of more renewable energy projects over the coming years as it aims for a net-zero emissions target by the end of the decade. With the Kingdom noting that the project at NEOM is approximately 80% complete, 2026 will see the first commissioning of the new hydrogen infrastructure needed for operations to kick off.
The NEOM green hydrogen project is heading into test phases this year
The project’s leadership has noted that the plan is for initial commissioning and testing to be conducted this year, with full-scale operations planned for 2027. Wesam Alghamdi, chief executive officer of NEOM Green Hydrogen Company, said that the project is an integral part of the kingdom’s clean-energy transition and is aligned with Vision 2030 targets for decarbonization and net zero emissions.
Saudi Arabia’s pioneering vision for the renewable energy market is gaining traction
Notably, while the rest of the world has minuscule renewable energy projects planned, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is planning a hydrogen revolution through the game-changing NEOM green hydrogen project. The project will be located in the Oxagon, the industrial city within the wider NEOM project. The project forms part of a larger initiative undertaken by the Kingdom to integrate hydrogen, wind, and solar power through three distinct facilities.
The first is the hydrogen plant in Oxagon, the second will be a solar field about 80 kilometers to the east. And lastly, the wind farm will be located approximately 120 kilometers north. The hydrogen project will completely reshape the regional supply of clean energy and is expected to generate roughly 4 gigawatts of power this year, with full-scale operations set for 2027.
Saudi Arabia is developing a new training program for the green hydrogen plant in NEOM
The project will aim to train hundreds of new employees over the coming years, and at the moment, the key roles for the project have been filled. Leadership notes that 350 employees have signed on, with additional roles for the project planning to be filled this year. With Europe developing new and pioneering projects for the hydrogen sector, the role that NEOM will play in the green hydrogen market is set to reach new heights this year.
The international hydrogen market is set to continue growing this year and beyond
The Kingdom’s astonishing green hydrogen and ammonia complex is a step towards net-zero emissions for a nation that has relied on the vast riches of oil and gas for generations. The hydrogen ambitions for the world have been gaining momentum in recent months, with China breaking ground on its 30 MW power plant in Inner Mongolia. The world has relied on oil and gas for far too long, and with the new year opening the door to a new wave of possibilities, the hydrogen market is set to dominate the renewable energy sector in 2026 and beyond.
