Letter on hydrogen: Saudi lights torch as MENA trailblazes

NEOM helps encourage ambitious hydrogen strategies as region looks to decarbonise various sectors to help meet economic diversification targets

The scene is set and excitement permeates through the energy transition landscape. Major developments such as Saudi Arabia’s flagship 2.2GW green hydrogen project in NEOM, the first gigawatt-scale green hydrogen project to receive FID and begin construction, demonstrate how countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) are vying to become global leaders in hydrogen development. Ambitious national hydrogen strategies have been announced by several countries in the region, driven by their wish to meet their economic diversification targets. This is aided by the abundance of renewable energy resources with the potential to power the production process. MENA has emerged as a leader in tod