NEOM, Saudi Arabia’s flagship sustainable city project, has welcomed a new partner to develop the massive renewable energy infrastructure required for its green hydrogen hub. Indian engineering firm Larsen & Toubro has joined the venture, which is now over 80% complete and on track to become the largest facility of its kind globally, reports Energies Media.
The partnership was formed when ACWA Power, a major utility and existing partner in the hub, signed an initial agreement with Larsen & Toubro. The Indian company will be responsible for building the “upstream” components, including the vast fields of solar panels and wind turbines, the electrical grid that connects them, and energy storage systems.
This hub is a cornerstone of NEOM, a large-scale development designed to showcase a model for future cities. Upon completion, the facility will produce up to 600 tonnes per day of carbon-free hydrogen, which will be converted into green ammonia for transport to international markets.
To power this operation, the project is integrating a colossal amount of renewable energy, including:
Wind Power: 257 turbines with a total capacity of 1.6 gigawatts.
Solar Power: A solar farm, comparable in size to the island of Manhattan, with a capacity of 2.2 gigawatts.
Transmission: A dedicated grid to distribute the combined 4 gigawatts of clean electricity across the site.
The production of green hydrogen is seen as critical for decarbonizing industries like aviation and shipping. The NEOM hub, developed in a joint venture by ACWA Power, Air Products, and NEOM, is a significant step in scaling up this technology. Its progress signals a growing global shift, with other energy-producing nations, including China, also launching major hydrogen initiatives.
