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.



Saudi Non-Oil Exports Hit Two-Year High

The King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia. (“Mawani” port authority)
The King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia. (“Mawani” port authority)
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Saudi Non-Oil Exports Hit Two-Year High

The King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia. (“Mawani” port authority)
The King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia. (“Mawani” port authority)

Saudi Arabia’s non-oil exports soared to a two-year high in May, reaching SAR 28.89 billion (USD 7.70 billion), marking an 8.2% year-on-year increase compared to May 2023.

On a monthly basis, non-oil exports surged by 26.93% from April.

This growth contributed to Saudi Arabia’s trade surplus, which recorded a year-on-year increase of 12.8%, reaching SAR 34.5 billion (USD 9.1 billion) in May, following 18 months of decline.

The enhancement of the non-oil private sector remains a key focus for Saudi Arabia as it continues its efforts to diversify its economy and reduce reliance on oil revenues.

In 2023, non-oil activities in Saudi Arabia contributed 50% to the country’s real GDP, the highest level ever recorded, according to the Ministry of Economy and Planning’s analysis of data from the General Authority for Statistics.

Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan emphasized at the “Future Investment Initiative” in October that the Kingdom is now prioritizing the development of the non-oil sector over GDP figures, in line with its Vision 2030 economic diversification plan.

A report by Moody’s highlighted Saudi Arabia’s extensive efforts to transform its economic structure, reduce dependency on oil, and boost non-oil sectors such as industry, tourism, and real estate.

The Saudi General Authority for Statistics’ monthly report on international trade noted a 5.8% growth in merchandise exports in May compared to the same period last year, driven by a 4.9% increase in oil exports, which totaled SAR 75.9 billion in May 2024.

The change reflects movements in global oil prices, while production levels remained steady at under 9 million barrels per day since the OPEC+ alliance began a voluntary reduction in crude supply to maintain prices. Production is set to gradually increase starting in early October.

On a monthly basis, merchandise exports rose by 3.3% from April to May, supported by a 26.9% increase in non-oil exports. This rise was bolstered by a surge in re-exports, which reached SAR 10.2 billion, the highest level for this category since 2017.

The share of oil exports in total exports declined to 72.4% in May from 73% in the same month last year.

Moreover, the value of re-exported goods increased by 33.9% during the same period.