The world’s largest green hydrogen plant, currently under construction in Saudi Arabia’s NEOM region, is on track to begin production by December 2026. This ambitious project, led by NEOM Green Hydrogen Company (NGHC), is set to become a cornerstone of the Kingdom’s renewable energy strategy and a key player in the global hydrogen market. With the plant already 60% complete, CEO Wesam Al-Ghamdi highlighted the scale and potential of the project, noting that it is being built at an unprecedented size and capacity, a feat that few in the energy sector have ever attempted.
The green hydrogen plant will utilize a 2.2 gigawatt electrolyzer powered entirely by renewable energy from Saudi Arabia’s abundant solar and wind resources. The process of electrolysis, driven by these renewable sources, will produce hydrogen with zero carbon emissions, making it a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels.
Al-Ghamdi emphasized that NEOM’s strategic location provides a significant competitive advantage, as the region benefits from consistent solar and wind patterns, which drive down the cost of renewable energy production. This cost advantage is critical in making green hydrogen more commercially viable, as the production of hydrogen through electrolysis remains expensive, limiting its widespread adoption. However, the NEOM plant’s scale and reliance on low-cost renewable energy give it an edge that few projects globally can match.
In addition to its technological innovations, NGHC has secured a 30-year offtake agreement with Air Products, a major player in the industrial gases sector. This partnership will help ensure that the hydrogen produced at the plant will be transported and distributed efficiently in ammonia form, catering to international demand from sectors like heavy transport and industrial manufacturing.
The project is not only a key part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative—aimed at diversifying the Kingdom’s economy away from oil dependence—but also a critical step toward developing a skilled workforce in the green energy sector. Currently, over 60% of the workforce at NGHC is composed of Saudi nationals, with a mix of experienced professionals and recent graduates. The company has also partnered with local universities to cultivate homegrown expertise in green energy technologies.
Furthermore, NGHC has formed a decade-long research and development partnership with Germany’s ThyssenKrupp, aimed at optimizing the electrolyzer technology used in the plant. The early installation of the first electrolyzer, scheduled to come online before the main facility, will allow NGHC to test and refine the equipment, ensuring operational efficiencies and cost savings once full-scale production begins.
Al-Ghamdi believes that NEOM’s green hydrogen project is uniquely positioned to become a global leader in the hydrogen market, thanks to its scale, location, and strong international partnerships. As the world accelerates its shift towards renewable energy, the NEOM Green Hydrogen Plant represents a pioneering effort to meet the growing demand for sustainable energy solutions while supporting Saudi Arabia’s broader economic transformation goals.
With the global focus on decarbonization intensifying, NGHC’s project is poised to set a new benchmark for large-scale green hydrogen production, driving both innovation and economic diversification in the Kingdom and beyond.
