Saudi Arabia, long known as a global oil giant, is now making a bold turn toward a cleaner and more sustainable energy future: hydrogen. As the world accelerates its transition to low-carbon energy sources, the Kingdom is positioning itself at the forefront of the hydrogen economy leveraging its natural resources, industrial infrastructure, and forward-thinking Vision 2030 agenda.
This strategic shift isn’t just about diversifying the energy mix; it’s about redefining Saudi Arabia’s role in the global energy market. Leading this transformation are five revolutionary companies: NEOM, ACWA Power, Saudi Aramco, Air Products, and Air Liquide Arabia, each playing a critical role in advancing the country’s hydrogen ambitions.
Hydrogen, particularly green and blue hydrogen, is emerging as a key pillar of the global energy transition. Green hydrogen is produced using renewable energy sources like solar and wind, while blue hydrogen is derived from natural gas with carbon capture and storage to curb emissions. Saudi Arabia is uniquely positioned to lead on both fronts. Its vast desert landscapes offer exceptional solar and wind potential, ideal for producing green hydrogen. Meanwhile, its well-established oil and gas infrastructure provides the foundation for efficient, large-scale blue hydrogen development.
With Vision 2030 as a roadmap, Saudi Arabia is setting ambitious targets to become one of the world’s leading hydrogen producers and exporters. The Kingdom aims to supply energy-hungry markets in Europe and Asia with millions of tons of hydrogen annually, positioning itself as a central player in the global shift toward clean energy.
NEOM: Leading the Charge in Green Hydrogen
NEOM, Saudi Arabia’s ambitious smart city in the northwest, has become the flagship for the Kingdom’s green hydrogen aspirations. More than just a futuristic urban development, NEOM is designed to be a hub for sustainability, innovation, and clean energy. Central to this mission is the Helios Green Fuels Project, a $5 billion joint venture between NEOM, ACWA Power, and Air Products. This facility is set to become the world’s largest green hydrogen plant, powered entirely by solar and wind energy. Once operational, it will produce 650 tons of hydrogen per day, converted into green ammonia for export to global markets. By 2030, the goal is to scale up production to 2.9 million tons annually.
This monumental project is not just about scale; it’s about global impact. NEOM’s hydrogen will help meet rising international demand for clean energy, particularly in Europe and Asia, where decarbonization efforts are accelerating. The project also establishes Saudi Arabia as a cost-effective producer of green hydrogen, potentially setting new global benchmarks in terms of efficiency, sustainability, and commercial viability.
ACWA Power: Accelerating Renewable Energy Integration
As one of the Kingdom’s renewable energy pioneers, ACWA Power plays a vital role in enabling green hydrogen production. The company’s strength lies in developing large-scale solar and wind projects, which are essential for supplying the clean electricity needed to power electrolysis at hydrogen plants. ACWA Power is a key partner in the NEOM Helios project and brings extensive experience in building and operating renewable infrastructure across the region.
One of ACWA Power’s landmark achievements is the Sudair Solar Plant among the largest solar installations globally. This and similar projects are crucial for supporting hydrogen facilities with round-the-clock renewable energy. Beyond energy generation, ACWA Power is forming strategic partnerships with international players like Air Products to drive technology transfer, knowledge sharing, and the creation of export-ready hydrogen supply chains. Its role in the hydrogen economy is not limited to power generation; it is about creating a fully integrated renewable-hydrogen ecosystem in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Aramco: Pioneering Blue Hydrogen and Innovation
Saudi Aramco, the world’s most valuable oil company, is leveraging its deep technical expertise and existing infrastructure to spearhead the development of blue hydrogen. While the Kingdom’s ultimate goal is to lead in green hydrogen, blue hydrogen offers a near-term solution that utilizes current resources and capabilities. Aramco is investing heavily in blue ammonia production a hydrogen derivative that is easier to transport and store and aims to produce up to 11 million tons per year by 2030. In a landmark moment, the company successfully shipped the world’s first batch of blue ammonia to Japan in 2020, signaling its readiness for international trade.
In addition to production, Aramco is deeply committed to innovation. Through its LAB7 innovation center, the company is advancing research into hydrogen-powered mobility, fuel cells, and novel storage technologies. These efforts are not just about producing hydrogen but about shaping the entire value chain from production to application. Aramco’s leadership in this space is helping establish Saudi Arabia as a serious contender in the race to develop clean, exportable fuels at scale.
Air Products: Engineering Saudi Arabia’s Hydrogen Infrastructure
Air Products, a global leader in industrial gases, brings decades of expertise to Saudi Arabia’s hydrogen revolution. As a key partner in the NEOM Helios project, the company is tasked with the design, engineering, and integration of hydrogen production and ammonia conversion systems. Its role is central to ensuring that the facility meets international standards for safety, scalability, and efficiency.
Air Products also plays a crucial role in building out the logistics and export infrastructure needed to ship green ammonia from Saudi Arabia to overseas markets. This includes specialized storage, shipping, and handling solutions that are critical for large-scale commercialization. With its extensive global network and technical know-how, Air Products is helping turn Saudi Arabia’s hydrogen vision into a functioning international supply chain.
Air Liquide Arabia: Building the Kingdom’s Hydrogen Backbone
Air Liquide Arabia (ALAR), the local arm of the French industrial gas giant Air Liquide, is instrumental in developing Saudi Arabia’s hydrogen backbone. The company operates large-scale hydrogen production facilities in key industrial zones such as Yanbu and Jubail. These facilities supply hydrogen to critical sectors including refining, petrochemicals, and steel manufacturing.
ALAR has also established an extensive hydrogen pipeline network that supports current industrial demand while laying the groundwork for future expansion into transport and mobility. Beyond infrastructure, the company is investing in local workforce development, training Saudi talent in advanced hydrogen technologies and operations. Through these initiatives, Air Liquide Arabia is not only supporting current industrial decarbonization but also helping prepare the Kingdom for a hydrogen-powered future.
Saudi Arabia’s hydrogen journey is being shaped by several landmark projects and strategic investments. The NEOM Helios Green Fuels Project is poised to become the world’s largest green hydrogen facility. The Sudair Solar Plant is delivering the renewable power essential to sustainable hydrogen production. Aramco’s blue ammonia export program is paving the way for near-term market penetration. Air Liquide Arabia’s pipeline network is enabling scalable, real-world hydrogen applications across industries.
While challenges remain ranging from infrastructure development to cost competitiveness the Kingdom’s unique blend of natural resources, existing industrial strength, and political will provide a strong foundation. Collaboration between public and private sectors is fostering a vibrant hydrogen ecosystem. With global demand for clean energy on the rise, Saudi Arabia is well positioned to become a major exporter of both green and blue hydrogen, reshaping the future of global energy.
The momentum behind Saudi Arabia’s hydrogen sector is undeniable. Led by innovative projects and powerful collaborations, the Kingdom is staking its claim as a future leader in clean energy. Through the vision of NEOM, the renewable expertise of ACWA Power, the technological leadership of Aramco, the global capabilities of Air Products, and the infrastructure strength of Air Liquide Arabia, Saudi Arabia is building a hydrogen economy that could define its post-oil era and help power the world toward a more sustainable future.
