Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 is reshaping its economy around a net-zero future. The Kingdom, once defined by oil, is now a global hub for renewable energy, sustainable cities, and climate-tech megaprojects. From NEOM’s The Line to the floating industrial hub Oxagon and the luxury eco-resorts of the Red Sea Project, these initiatives are designed to be carbon-neutral showcases of what the future can look like.
For London and Riyadh founders, this is more than a policy—it’s an entry point into one of the world’s most ambitious green infrastructure markets. With government-backed funding, world-class infrastructure, and rising demand for climate-aligned solutions, Saudi Arabia’s net-zero projects create fertile ground for innovators in green hydrogen, carbon capture, ESG monitoring, renewable energy storage, and AI for sustainability.
This blog explores the key net-zero projects under Vision 2030, the data that validates the opportunity, pain points founders face, and a step-by-step framework to enter this high-growth ecosystem.
What Are Saudi Arabia’s Net Zero Projects Under Vision 2030?
The Line – Zero-Emission City of the Future
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A 170 km urban corridor designed to house 9 million people, powered entirely by renewable energy.
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No cars, no emissions—mobility based on AI-powered public transport.
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First phase targeted for 2030.
Oxagon – Floating Clean Industry Hub
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Octagonal megacity within NEOM focused on Industry 4.0, advanced manufacturing, and green hydrogen production.
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Hosts the $8.4bn NEOM Green Hydrogen Project, the world’s largest planned green H₂ plant (operational by 2026–2027).
The Red Sea Project – Renewable-Powered Eco-Tourism
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50 luxury resorts powered by 1 GWh solar-battery storage system (developed with ACWA Power).
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First hotels opened in 2024–2025, with all utilities designed for carbon neutrality.
NEOM Net-Zero AI Data Centre
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A $5 billion HPC facility designed to run entirely on renewable power.
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Serves AI workloads, digital twins, and smart-city platforms at net-zero emissions.
Saudi Green Initiative (SGI)
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National strategy to cut 278 MtCO₂ annually by 2030.
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Afforestation campaigns, carbon capture projects, and circular carbon economy deployment.
Renewable Energy Expansion
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15 GW of solar and wind capacity by 2028 through ACWA Power, Aramco, and PIF partnerships.
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Goal: 50% renewable electricity by 2030.
Why This Matters to Founders in London & Riyadh
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Direct Alignment with National Priorities – Climate tech solutions that solve Saudi sustainability challenges can be fast-tracked via PoCs and government contracts. -
High Visibility – Participation in projects like NEOM or Red Sea Global positions startups on a global showcase stage.
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Capital Efficiency – With $50bn already committed, founders can access non-dilutive pilots and co-funded R&D alongside Saudi partners.
Direct Alignment with National PrioritiesMarket Data & Insights
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$50bn+ already invested in renewables and hydrogen projects to meet Vision 2030 targets.
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278 MtCO₂ reduction annually by 2030 via SGI (nearly 1 Gt cumulative by 2060).
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15 GW renewable capacity by 2028 → powering giga-projects including NEOM and Red Sea.
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Saudi startup funding reached $1.34bn in H1 2025, with climate tech and deep tech attracting $250m+ each.
Pain Points & Actionable Solutions
Fragmented Entry Points
Solution: Use local partners and Monsha’at/NEOM portals to access innovation sandboxes. Position solutions as PoC-ready.
Regulatory & Compliance Uncertainty
Solution: Offer ESG monitoring tools, carbon reporting SaaS, or compliance dashboards aligned with SGI standards.
Commercialisation Risks
Solution: Target utility providers and project operators (ACWA Power, Red Sea Global, NEOM) instead of only ministries—faster procurement cycles.
Founder’s Checklist for Entering Saudi Net Zero Projects
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Incorporate locally or partner with a Saudi entity (MISA license).
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Map your solution to Vision 2030 net-zero sectors (hydrogen, renewables, AI infra).
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Prepare a PoC proposal with ESG metrics.
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Build compliance into your product (IKTVA, Saudization).
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Secure pilot funding through SIGP, Monsha’at, or corporate partners.
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Leverage PoC results to scale into contracts with NEOM or Red Sea Global.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What are Saudi Arabia’s main net zero projects under Vision 2030?
Key projects include The Line, Oxagon, The Red Sea Project, a net-zero AI data centre, and the Saudi Green Initiative. Each integrates renewables, hydrogen, and carbon-neutral infrastructure.
Q2: How much renewable energy capacity is Saudi Arabia targeting by 2030?
Saudi Arabia targets 50% renewable electricity by 2030, adding 15 GW of solar and wind by 2028 via ACWA Power and Aramco.
Q3: How does the Saudi Green Initiative support Vision 2030 goals?
SGI aims to cut 278 MtCO₂ annually by 2030 through renewable projects, carbon capture, and afforestation – underpinning the 2060 net-zero pledge.
Q4: What opportunities exist for foreign startups?
London and Riyadh founders can contribute tech in green hydrogen, ESG monitoring, sustainable AI infra, and eco-tourism solutions. Entry requires local incorporation or Saudi partnerships.
Q5: What role does NEOM play?
NEOM is the flagship, hosting The Line, Oxagon, and Trojena, powered entirely by renewables, with the world’s largest green hydrogen project.
Q6: Is Saudi Arabia really committed to net zero by 2060?
Yes. The Kingdom has pledged net zero by 2060 and invested over $50bn in renewables, proving a systemic pivot toward sustainability while still balancing hydrocarbon revenues.
Conclusion
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 net-zero projects are not just megaprojects, they are pathways for global founders to test, scale, and showcase their climate innovations. With The Line, Oxagon, and Red Sea Global already underway, and SGI anchoring national emissions reduction, the opportunity for startups is immediate and substantial.
For London and Riyadh founders, the next step is not “if” but “how.” By incorporating locally, aligning solutions with net-zero priorities, and launching PoCs with Saudi partners, startups can access non-dilutive grants, high-visibility pilots, and commercial scale contracts.
Saudi’s pivot to sustainability is real, funded, and accelerating. The question is: will your startup be part of it? At 7startup, we help founders sequence entry, secure PoCs, and unlock market access in Saudi Arabia’s climate-tech revolution.
