Massive, miles-long buildings, expected to be the world’s largest, are to be part of the futuristic Saudi gigaproject NEOM, according to a Bloomberg report. The twin skyscrapers about 500 meters (1,640 feet) tall would stretch horizontally for dozens of miles.

The Middle East’s green hydrogen market is set for a major boom in the coming decades, on the back of a global market that is set to reach $700 billion by 2050, according to a report by Arthur D Little.

In its report titled ‘Paving the way for green hydrogen’, the global management consultancy explores the role green hydrogen will have in the future energy mix, concluding that green energy “can be a key technology to bridge decarbonization ambitions.”

Saudi Arabia’s megacity NEOM is preparing to issue tender documents to complete construction work on an infrastructure corridor that will connect its industrial city, OXAGON, with other elements of the $500-billion project, in northwest Saudi Arabia, MEED reported.

Also known as NEOM Industrial City, OXAGON was formally launched in November 2021, and will be built around the Duba seaport in the southwest corner of NEOM and will include onshore elements and floating structures offshore.

NEOM launched a regreening initiative to plant 100 million native trees, shrubs and grasses by 2030, the official Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.  The initiative, which was launched in collaboration with the National Center for Vegetation Cover and Combatting desertification, will also involve rehabilitating at least 1.5 million hectares of land, repairing wildlife habitats, and aiding the restoration of degraded land.

Contrary to an earlier (unofficial) statement Saudi Arabia has no plans to legalise alcohol — either at futuristic megacity NEOM or in a bid to draw more visitors, assistant minister of tourism Princess Haifa bint Mohammed said on Wednesday. The princess was asked, in a panel session about Saudi Arabia at the World Economic Forum, on the possibility of offering alcohol in new destination such as NEOM.

Princess Haifa said the kingdom has been “doing well” in attracting visitors since launching tourism e-visas in 2019 and that rules would remain “the same”. 

Saudi owner-operator of power and water plants ACWA Power has started building a multi-billion-dollar green hydrogen plant that will turn the Gulf Kingdom into major exporter of the green fuel, a Saudi newspaper reported on Tuesday. 

ACWA Power revealed that Phase 1 of the infrastructure and other construction work will cost around $900 million, according to Almadina Arabic language daily, which said the Company made the announcement at a meeting with shareholders on Monday. 

Saudi Arabia’s THE LINE project, a 170-km long linear urban development in NEOM, is set to receive bids for its main work package to build spine water transmission by June 1, MEED reported. 

This package, which will be the latest in a series of tenders for the Line and Spine components, includes design, build, testing and commissioning work for a pressurized permanent water system. 

Saudia airline has announced that it will launch weekly flights from NEOM Bay Airport to Dubai in late June, and plans a direct route to London.  Saudia operated its first-ever flights from capital Riyadh to the NEOM site in January of 2019.

The Saudi Film Commission (SFC) is participating in the 75th edition of the Cannes International Film Festival, which runs from 17-28 May, to build awareness of the country's rapidly developing film industry, showcase its unique cinematic and pristine locations, and champion new and exciting talent in a drive to become a world-class hub for film and TV production.

Located in the International Village, the Saudi Pavilion will be the epicenter of information, events, panel discussions, and networking, bringing together country partners who are making great strides in building the industry and enhancing the ecosystem in the Kingdom.