NEOM’s workforce anticipated to exceed 200k by 2025: CEO 

NEOM has brought together over 100 of the world’s leading construction companies for a two-day industry forum. NEOM
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Updated 15 April 2024
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NEOM’s workforce anticipated to exceed 200k by 2025: CEO 

RIYADH: Saudi giga-project NEOM’s workforce is poised to surpass 200,000 by 2025 as the Kingdom’s ambitious $500 billion-city enters its busiest development phase.  

This significant increase in labor – a 43 percent rise on the current level – marks a crucial milestone in the Vision 2030 initiative, underscoring the project’s pivotal role in reshaping the Saudi economy.  

NEOM, currently being built in the northwest of Saudi Arabia, has brought together over 100 of the world’s leading construction companies for a two-day industry forum, according to a statement.  

Addressing the event Nadhmi Al-Nasr, CEO of the giga-project, said: “As we go into our busiest ever phase of development, the scale of opportunities across NEOM is monumental. With projects progressing fast across all parts of the region, we are committed to collaborating with globally renowned contractors to achieve the vision of NEOM.”   

Participants gained insights into the plans and scope of upcoming opportunities and toured project sites to witness the ongoing construction firsthand. 

The event also facilitated one-on-one meetings, enabling in-depth discussions on specific business prospects as contractors demonstrated their services and capabilities. 

The gathering, which featured a mix of firms from Saudi Arabia alongside international companies from Asia, Europe, North America, and North Africa, highlighted current construction progress on-site while emphasizing future developments, signifying NEOM’s transition into the next phase of its extensive project portfolio. 

The statement emphasized that as the city’s projects move into a new phase of execution, the need for top-tier construction expertise is crucial to deliver some of the most ambitious development projects the world has ever witnessed. 

It further stated that among these ambitious projects is The Line, a 170-km-long city currently being constructed in modular phases, with the first phase expected to welcome residents in 2030. 

The forum, furthermore, underscored the critical role of innovation within the industry, emphasizing that traditional construction methods are inadequate to meet the scale and scope of the projects in the city of the future. 

Moreover, progress made on-site was demonstrated across NEOM, encompassing advancements in the construction of key projects such as The Line, the Spine, Oxagon, Trojena, and an international airport. 


Acwa signs key terms to develop 5GW of renewable energy capacity in Turkiye

Updated 23 February 2026
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Acwa signs key terms to develop 5GW of renewable energy capacity in Turkiye

JEDDAH: Saudi utility giant Acwa has signed key investment agreements with Turkiye’s Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources to develop up to 5 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity, starting with 2GW of solar power across two plants in Sivas and Taseli.

Under the investment agreement, Acwa will develop, finance, and construct, as well as commission and operate both facilities, according to a press release.

The program builds on the company’s first investment in Turkiye, the 927-megawatt Kirikkale Independent Power Plant, valued at $930 million, which offsets approximately 1.8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, the statement added.

A separate power purchase agreement has been concluded with Elektrik Uretim Anonim Sirketi for the sale of electricity generated by each facility.

Turkiye aims to boost solar and wind capacity to 120GW by 2035, supported by around $80 billion in investment, while recent projects have already helped prevent 12.5 million tonnes of CO2 emissions and reduced reliance on imported natural gas.

Turkiye’s energy sector has undergone a rapid transformation in recent years, with renewable power emerging as a central pillar of its strategy.

Raad Al-Saady, vice chairman and managing director of ACWA, said: “The signing of the IA (implementation agreement) and PPA key terms marks a pivotal moment in Acwa’s partnership with Turkiye, reflecting the country’s strong potential as a clean energy leader and manufacturing powerhouse.”

He added: “Building on our long-standing presence, including the 927MW Kirikkale Power Plant commissioned in 2017, this step elevates our partnership to a new level,” Al-Saady said.

In its statement, Acwa said the 5GW renewable energy program will deliver electricity at fixed prices, enhancing predictability for grid planning and supporting long-term industrial investment.

By replacing imported fossil fuels with domestically generated clean energy, the initiative is expected to reduce Turkiye’s exposure to global energy market volatility, strengthening energy security and lowering long-term power costs.

The company added that the economic impact will extend beyond the anticipated investment of up to $5 billion in foreign direct investment, with thousands of jobs expected during the construction phase and hundreds of high-skilled roles created during operations.

The energy firm concluded that its existing progress in Turkiye reflects a strong appreciation for Turkish engineering, construction, and manufacturing capacity, adding that localization has been a strategic priority, and it has already achieved 100 percent local employment at its developments in the country.