Saudi Arabia is in the middle of a monumental transformation, driven by the power of nature. As part of its Vision 2030 strategy to diversify its economy and reduce its historic reliance on oil, the Kingdom is making huge investments in renewable energy. These projects send a clear message to the world: Saudi Arabia is open for global business and ready to partner with companies across technology, manufacturing, engineering and workforce solutions.
For international companies looking at expansion, there’s never been a better time to explore what opportunities Saudi Arabia has to offer.
What’s Driving Saudi Arabia’s Renewable Energy Push?
At the heart of Saudi Arabia’s shift is Vision 2030, the ambitious national plan to future-proof its economy. This includes reducing carbon emissions, growing the private sector and attracting foreign investment. The Kingdom has pledged to reach Net Zero by 2060, and to achieve that, it’s rolling out one of the most ambitious renewable energy agendas the world has seen.
Backed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and strategic partnerships with global clean energy leaders, Saudi Arabia is rapidly building out solar, wind, green hydrogen and energy storage infrastructure. Combined, these efforts are not only reshaping the Kingdom’s energy landscape but also creating thousands of new jobs and opening up countless opportunities for international businesses.
Saudi Arabia’s Key Renewable Energy Projects
Saudi Arabia’s renewable energy strategy isn’t just about targets on paper – major projects are already under construction or operational, drawing in expertise and investment from across the globe.
Saudi Arabia Solar Power Projects
Saudi Arabia’s vast deserts and high number of hours of sunshine annually make it ideal for solar energy. The country has rolled out multiple large-scale solar power plants, including:
- Sakaka Solar Power Plant: Located in Al Jouf, this state-of-the-art facility harnesses photovoltaic technology (PV) to generate clean electricity for the Kingdom with over 1.2 million solar panels across 6km² of land (or 840 football pitches).
- Sudair Solar PV: Poised to be one of the largest single-contracted PV solar plants in the world, this energy plant will be capable of delivering a staggering 1.5 GW of clean renewable electricity – or enough to power 150 million LED bulbs.
These projects are driving demand for cutting-edge technologies, construction expertise, digital grid management and advanced manufacturing from across the globe.
Saudi Arabia Wind Power Projects
The Dumat Al Jandal Wind Farm is not just Saudi Arabia’s largest wind farm, but it’s also the largest of its kind in the entire Middle East, with an enormous capacity of 400 MW. Consisting of 99 turbines, it’s capable of supplying electricity to 70,000 homes.
Initiatives like this support the Kingdom’s reduction of reliance on fossil fuels like oil, as well as curb the country’s carbon footprint, not to mention bringing jobs and foreign investment into the region.
Saudi Arabia Hydrogen Power Projects
Perhaps the most ambitious of all Saudi Arabia’s energy projects is the NEOM Green Hydrogen Project, an $8.4 billion joint venture between NEOM, Air Products and ACWA Power.
This groundbreaking facility will be the world’s largest commercially based hydrogen facility powered purely through renewable energy. Producing up to 600 tonnes of clean hydrogen every day via electrolysis, it will serve as a clean and cost-effective solution for transportation and industrial sectors across the globe.
Nadhmi Al-Nasr, Chairman of the NEOM Green Hydrogen Company and Chief Executive Officer of NEOM, says that the NEOM Green Hydrogen Project will “lead the world in the hydrogen revolution […] while driving Saudi Vision 2030’s sustainable development goals.”
Saudi Arabia Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Projects
On top of investing in renewables, Saudi Arabia is tackling emissions head-on through carbon capture and storage (CCS). Aramco, one of the world’s leading integrated energy and chemicals companies, recently launched the Kingdom’s first Direct Air Capture (DAC) test unit, developed with Siemens Energy, which removes 12 tons of CO² annually from the atmosphere. This pilot will test next-generation capture materials suited to Saudi’s climate, with the aim of scaling up to larger facilities. It follows Aramco’s agreement with Linde and SLB to build a major CCS hub in Jubail, set to capture nine million tonnes of CO² each year.
These CCS projects and initiatives highlight Saudi Arabia’s commitment to a circular carbon economy (CCE), aiming to reduce, reuse, recycle and remove carbon from the atmosphere.
Why International Businesses Should Pay Attention
Saudi Arabia is rolling out the red carpet for global companies, inviting them to take part in these bold, world-leading projects. For firms in construction, engineering, renewable energy, tech, manufacturing or professional services, there are plenty of reasons to take a closer look.
There’s a steady flow of multi-billion-dollar investments, giving early movers the chance to secure long-term contracts and partnerships on projects that will shape the region for decades to come. Add to that Saudi Arabia’s prime location at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa, along with impressive infrastructure – from smart cities and airports to high-speed rail and cutting-edge digital networks.
Companies that get involved now can cement their place in supply chains, become trusted local partners, and build relationships long before the market becomes crowded.
How Leap29 Can Help You Expand into Saudi Arabia
Of course, entering a new market comes with its complexities – from local compliance and regulations, to sourcing talent and navigating payroll. That’s where Leap29 comes in.
We help businesses establish and scale operations in Saudi Arabia through our complete suite of workforce management and global expansion solutions, including:
- Workforce Management – Visa sponsorship, onboarding and local compliance.
- Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) – Recruitment support tailored to your needs.
- Employer of Record (EOR) and Professional Employer Organisation (PEO) Services – Hire construction workers quickly and compliantly without needing to set up a local entity.
- Payroll Services – Accurate, on-time payment and benefits administration.
Ready to Explore the Saudi Market?
Saudi Arabia’s renewable energy transformation is powering the future of the Kingdom’s economy and opening up vast opportunities for global companies. If you’re considering international expansion, now is the time to explore how your business can fit into Saudi Arabia’s clean energy revolution.Leap29 is here to support you every step of the way.Get in touch with us today to learn how we can help you hire, manage and grow in Saudi Arabia’s most exciting sectors..
