Saudi Arabia, Japan Sign Agreement for Transmission Systems in Neom

Saudi and Japanese delegations signing an agreement for transmission systems in Neom (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi and Japanese delegations signing an agreement for transmission systems in Neom (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia, Japan Sign Agreement for Transmission Systems in Neom

Saudi and Japanese delegations signing an agreement for transmission systems in Neom (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi and Japanese delegations signing an agreement for transmission systems in Neom (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) signed an agreement with Japan's Hitachi Energy agreement and Saudi Services for Electromechanical Works (SSEM) to supply three high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission systems to ENOWA, the utility company for NEOM in Northwest Saudi Arabia.

The agreement will provide one of the world's first 3 GW, 525 kilovolts (kV) HVDC Light transmission systems connecting Oxagon, NEOM's regional development, with the larger Yanbu area more than 650 kilometers away in Western Saudi Arabia.

- Construction and installation

Under the auspices and supervision of the Saudi Ministry of Energy, ENOWA organized the signing ceremony of the agreement, under which Hitachi Energy's scope of supply includes design, engineering, procurement of HVDC technology, and commissioning of the HVDC Light converter stations.

According to the agreement, the SSEM will design and supply the AC equipment portion and perform the construction and installation.

The converter stations convert the power from AC to DC and then back to AC for integration into the receiving grid.

The converters will be sourced by and supplied to Saudi Electricity Company, which was contracted in 2022 by ENOWA to act as their EPCM to build this first HVDC system for NEOM.

- Energy storage

Hitachi Energy and ENOWA have signed an early works and capacity reservation agreement for two additional HVDC projects, each rated up to 3 GW.

Under this agreement, both companies commit to having the resources and capacity necessary to implement these two HVDC systems.

As part of a new scalable and modular regional network design targeted to seamlessly integrate future renewables and energy storage technologies in the NEOM Energy System, it is unique in size and complexity.

The cooperation will also explore opportunities to develop local competencies in the Kingdom, including ways to assemble the necessary HVDC Light components locally and sustainably.

The Managing Director of Hitachi Energy's Grid Integration business, Niklas Persson, said that the collaboration with ENOWA will power one of the most visionary development projects of all time.

Persson added that as the world progresses towards a more sustainable future, expertise, and HVDC technologies are true enablers of the electrification of the global energy system and the transition to renewables.

For his part, the Executive Director of Grid Technology & Projects, Energy of ENOWA, Thorsten Schwarz, indicated that by securing the first capacities for this vital part of the future network within just one year since the decision to use this technology was taken, "we show ENOWA's commitment to supporting Saudi Vision 2030 in collaboration with Saudi Electricity Company and Hitachi Energy."

- Sustainable economy

ENOWA seeks, by its commitment to renewable energy and efficient water management, to become a global reference for industry leaders and set a benchmark for sustainable economic circular systems worldwide.

ENOWA, NEOM's energy and water company, produces and delivers clean and sustainable energy for industrial and commercial applications.

The company benefits from NEOM's greenfield site and strategic location in northwestern Saudi Arabia, with abundant solar and wind resources.

ENOWA will act as a catalyst and incubator for developing new, sustainable energy and water businesses while creating a robust economic sector regionally.

ENOWA is the principal shareholder in the world's largest green hydrogen production plant set to be commissioned in 2026 and will enable NEOM to be a global green hydrogen hub.

The region is designed to be a blueprint for sustainable urban living with minimal environmental impact and enhanced livability.



Al-Hogail: 70,000 New Housing Units Planned for Riyadh, Starting at $66,000  

Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing Majed Al-Hogail speaks at the press conference. (SPA) 
Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing Majed Al-Hogail speaks at the press conference. (SPA) 
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Al-Hogail: 70,000 New Housing Units Planned for Riyadh, Starting at $66,000  

Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing Majed Al-Hogail speaks at the press conference. (SPA) 
Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing Majed Al-Hogail speaks at the press conference. (SPA) 

Saudi Arabia is intensifying efforts to meet housing demands as part of its Vision 2030 goals in a continued push to provide stability and prosperity for citizens.

Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing Majed Al-Hogail announced plans to introduce 70,000 new residential units in Riyadh, with prices starting from SAR 250,000 ($66,000). The move is aimed at increasing home ownership and providing affordable housing options across the Kingdom.

Al-Hogail emphasized the significance of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s recent donation of SAR 1 billion to support home ownership, describing it as a clear reflection of the leadership’s prioritization of the housing sector. The donation, he noted, will help boost the registration of new housing units for eligible families in 2025.

Speaking during a joint government press conference alongside Minister of Media Salman Al-Dosary, Al-Hogail highlighted the progress achieved under Vision 2030. According to the 2024 Vision Progress Report, the homeownership rate among Saudi families rose to 65.4% last year, up from 47% in 2016.

He noted that the ministry has launched over 11 financial solutions and revamped support programs to be more flexible and equitable. This has enabled more than 850,000 families to own homes, surpassing the targeted ownership rate of 65% a year ahead of schedule. The next milestone is to reach 70% homeownership by 2030.

The minister also revealed that over 50,000 housing units have been provided for families most in need, with more than 43,000 of them now owning homes. These efforts are part of broader goals to enhance quality of life and support vulnerable groups.

“Our goal is to make the journey to homeownership shorter and easier,” Al-Hogail said, adding that urban planning will be guided by local and regional development needs.

In Riyadh alone, between 60,000 and 70,000 new units will be delivered to meet growing demand. He stressed that prices will remain affordable and emphasized the importance of local job creation and economic stimulation in the process.

The housing and municipal sectors currently contribute 14% to Saudi Arabia’s GDP, spanning over 550 types of activities. Over the past few years, more than 500,000 jobs have been created through 318,000 enterprises operating under the ministry’s supervision. The real estate sector’s market size has grown significantly, from SAR 170 billion to over SAR 850 billion in 2024.

Al-Hogail also noted that the construction and real estate sectors account for more than 16% of total foreign direct investment, reflecting investor confidence in the country’s cities and regulatory environment. Municipal sector revenues surged from SAR 6.3 billion in 2020 to 22 billion in 2024, driven by better investment in available opportunities.

More than six Saudi cities have now been classified as smart cities, and the ministry plans to implement urban identity programs in 12 municipalities by the end of the year.

For his part, Al-Dosary praised Vision 2030 as an inspiring global model, stating it has “outpaced both time and numbers,” with achievements arriving ahead of schedule.

He described the vision as “the greatest success story of the 21st century,” adding that 2024 marked a year of record-breaking accomplishments. Among them: AlUla became the first Middle Eastern destination to earn certification from the International Organization of Sustainable Tourism Destinations, while the Saudi Virtual Health Hospital entered the Guinness World Records and seven Saudi hospitals were ranked among the world’s top 250.