In the remote northwest border of Saudi Arabia, an unprecedented city concept named NEOM is emerging from the desert. NEOM not only represents an ambitious urban development but also signifies a global exploration of innovation, business, and sustainable lifestyles. Amidst this vast landscape, numerous architectural wonders are taking shape, and Chinese enterprises are leaving a profound imprint on this hotbed of innovation.
From power supply to infrastructure construction, and from green energy to electromechanical equipment, Chinese technology and wisdom are intertwining with Saudi Arabia’s grand vision, collectively depicting a magnificent picture of the future city. This article is the 93rd installment in the “Saudi Business Chronicles” series by the Sino-Arab Industrial Research Institute, providing in-depth insights into industrial policies, regulations, trends, market demands, competition landscape, and potential business opportunities in the fields of Sino-Arab investments, trade, and engineering construction.
1. China Power Construction Supports the Construction of “The Line” Skyscrapers in Saudi NEOM
In the grand vision of Saudi Arabia, a groundbreaking architectural marvel, the Mirror Line skyscraper, is silently rising from the desert as a core component of the $500 billion NEOM project. China Power Construction, as a leading global engineering construction company, has been deeply involved in this historic project since August 2022. They are responsible for the challenging piling work for the foundation of the Mirror Line super-tower, showcasing their expertise and technological innovation.
2. Sunshine Power Aids in Building the World’s Largest Green Hydrogen Plant in NEOM
Oxagon in the NEOM region is constructing a revolutionary project, the NEOM Green Hydrogen Energy Project (NGHC), with the goal of creating the world’s largest green hydrogen plant by 2026. Sunshine Power, a globally renowned inverter and energy storage system provider, has played a crucial role in this historic project by supplying inverter solutions and a 400MWh energy storage system.
3. Far East Horizon Supports NEOM in Building the World’s Largest Green Hydrogen Factory with Wind Power
Far East Horizon signed a significant agreement with L&T in June 2023 to supply 1.67 GW of wind turbines for the Oxagon factory in the NEOM region. This move signifies the factory’s ambitious goal of achieving complete reliance on renewable energy. Far East Horizon’s role extends beyond supplying wind turbines; the company will also provide a comprehensive range of solutions, including energy storage, digital grids, and Power-to-X (P2X) technology integration.
4. China Construction Group and FCC Group Jointly Construct Key Tunnels for Saudi NEOM Project
After unveiling the ambitious NEOM Future City plan in 2022, a notable transportation infrastructure project has been revealed, with China Construction Group teaming up with Spain’s FCC Group and local partner SAJCO to secure the construction contract for crucial tunnels in the NEOM project. This contract demonstrates the outstanding capabilities of Chinese construction companies on the international stage.
5. China Railway Construction Achieves Major Breakthrough in Saudi NEOM Tunnel Support Project
In January 2024, China Railway Construction International Group celebrated a significant milestone at the NEOM “THE LINE” project site, marking the completion and handover of the tunnel support for the Western Package 1, 2, and 3 tunnels. This accomplishment represents a breakthrough in the project’s critical phase and underscores China Railway Construction’s expertise and technical proficiency.
6. SUMEC Contributes Power Generation Sets for Saudi NEOM Future City Construction
In January 2024, SUMEC, a subsidiary of the China National Machinery Group, signed a contract to provide multiple sets of efficient diesel generators for the NEOM Future City project. This contract highlights SUMEC’s professional capabilities in custom solutions and its pioneering efforts in adapting to the local environment.
7. Sany Heavy Industry Showcases Outstanding Performance in Saudi NEOM Project
In the ambitious NEOM construction project in Saudi Arabia, a fleet of yellow-painted engineering machinery from China’s Sany Heavy Industry has been operating continuously for over 1000 hours, demonstrating zero faults in extreme conditions. This achievement not only affirms the reliability and durability of Sany Heavy Industry equipment but also enhances the reputation of Chinese manufacturing in the international market.
Conclusion
In conclusion, from the grand vision of NEOM to the futuristic concept of “The Line” and the construction of Mirror Line skyscrapers, Saudi Arabia is gradually transforming its northwest desert into a futuristic metropolis full of innovation and vitality with the help of Chinese companies. These projects showcase the deep cooperation between China and Saudi Arabia in fields such as trade, technological innovation, and sustainable development, highlighting China’s leading position in global infrastructure construction.
Chinese enterprises such as China Power Construction, Sunshine Power, Far East Horizon, China Construction Group, China Railway Construction, SUMEC, and Sany Heavy Industry have provided comprehensive support and services for the NEOM project. They have laid the foundation for the future city in the desert, setting new benchmarks for green energy transformation and sustainable development in Saudi Arabia and globally.
Looking ahead, as the NEOM project progresses and more Chinese companies participate, we have reason to believe that this futuristic metropolis in the desert will become a new model of Sino-Saudi cooperation, providing new ideas and directions for the future development of human society.