NDF Helps Finance World's Largest Green Hydrogen Project with SAR 10.3 Bln

Saudi Arabia’s National Development Fund (NDF), through its supervised entities, has contributed to the financing of the largest green hydrogen production plant in the world that will be established in Oxagon city at NEOM. (SPA)
Saudi Arabia’s National Development Fund (NDF), through its supervised entities, has contributed to the financing of the largest green hydrogen production plant in the world that will be established in Oxagon city at NEOM. (SPA)
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NDF Helps Finance World's Largest Green Hydrogen Project with SAR 10.3 Bln

Saudi Arabia’s National Development Fund (NDF), through its supervised entities, has contributed to the financing of the largest green hydrogen production plant in the world that will be established in Oxagon city at NEOM. (SPA)
Saudi Arabia’s National Development Fund (NDF), through its supervised entities, has contributed to the financing of the largest green hydrogen production plant in the world that will be established in Oxagon city at NEOM. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia’s National Development Fund (NDF), through its supervised entities, has contributed to the financing of the largest green hydrogen production plant in the world that will be established in Oxagon city at NEOM.

The initiative is part of the efforts of the Saudi Industrial Development Fund (SIDF) and the National Infrastructure Fund (NIF) -under establishment-, along with local and international banks, to advance green and sustainable solutions in the Kingdom, with financing exceeding SAR 10.3 billion (USD 2.7 billion), said the Saudi Press Agency on Tuesday.

The project is part of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to shift to clean energy and meet the growing demand for energy globally. Green hydrogen represents one of the most prominent investments for the Kingdom as it leads a new chapter into the future.

The National Development Fund aims to promote sustainability and enable Saudi Vision 2030 for a greener future by leveraging its expertise in development financing and delivering contributions to the Kingdom's ambitious goal to achieve net carbon neutrality by 2060.

The green hydrogen project, NEOM Green Hydrogen Company (NGHC), is a significant milestone in the transition towards a low-carbon economy. By harnessing cutting-edge technology and leveraging renewable energy sources, NGHC produces hydrogen through electrolysis, mitigating carbon emissions and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

Located in Oxagon, in Saudia Arabia’s region of NEOM, NGHC will boast an impressive production capacity of 600 tons per day of carbon-free hydrogen by the end of 2026, offering a multitude of applications across various sectors, including transportation, industry, and energy integration. The project positions the Kingdom as a global frontrunner in the green hydrogen sector, fostering economic growth and creating high-value job opportunities.

“We are proud to be part of this historic and transformative project, which will undoubtedly pave the way for the large-scale adoption of green hydrogen as a clean, sustainable energy source,” said Mohammed Al-Tuwaijri, Vice Chairman of the Board of NDF.

“Our involvement in financing NGHC's mega-plant further underscores our commitment to actively support innovative technologies and projects that drive sustainable development and contribute to a carbon-free future,” he added.

The initiative comes with strategic financing provided by the SIDF, in line with its role in promoting industrial investment opportunities and developing the industrial sector. In addition to financing provided by the National Infrastructure Fund (NIF), which is the project’s largest single financier, to promote its role in supporting infrastructure projects in vital sectors.



Gold Hits Three-week Peak on Softer Dollar and Safe Haven Inflows

Gold bullion displayed in a store in the German city of Pforzheim (dpa)
Gold bullion displayed in a store in the German city of Pforzheim (dpa)
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Gold Hits Three-week Peak on Softer Dollar and Safe Haven Inflows

Gold bullion displayed in a store in the German city of Pforzheim (dpa)
Gold bullion displayed in a store in the German city of Pforzheim (dpa)

Gold prices touched their highest level in three weeks on Friday supported by a softer dollar and safe-haven buying, while markets braced for potential economic and interest rate changes from US President-elect Donald Trump's proposed policies.

Spot gold was little changed at $2,658.11 per ounce, as of 1115 GMT, hitting its highest level since Dec. 13. Bullion is up about 1.5% for the week so far.

US gold futures were steady at $2,672.20.

The dollar index fell 0.3% from over a two-year high hit in the previous session, making dollar-priced bullion more affordable for holders of other currencies, Reuters reported.

"Gold bulls are setting the tone early doors this year, enjoying the lift from safe haven bids while riskier equities struggle to hold on to nascent gains," said Exinity Group Chief Market Analyst Han Tan.

On the geopolitical front, in Gaza Israeli airstrikes killed at least 68 Palestinians, Gaza authorities said. While, Russia launched a drone strike on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv on Wednesday, city officials said.

Trump's inauguration on Jan. 20 has heightened uncertainty, with his proposed tariffs and protectionist policies expected by many economists to be inflationary and potentially spark trade wars.

"Markets are aware that Trump's policies risk reawakening US inflationary impulses, which should be a boon for gold so long as markets adhere to the precious metal’s role as an inflation hedge," Tan added.

Bullion, which is considered a hedge against economic and geopolitical uncertainties, tends to thrive in lower interest rate environment.

After delivering three consecutive interest rate cuts in 2024, the US central bank now projects only two reductions in 2025 due to due to stubbornly high inflation.

Spot silver rose 0.6% to $29.75 per ounce.

"Lower real US yields and stronger global industrial production should favor the metal in 2025," UBS said in a note, adding that they see silver to trade between $36-38/oz in 2025.

Platinum added 0.8% to $930.09, and palladium gained 1.2% to $922.58. Both metals were on track for weekly gains.