Leading the way in sustainable energy solutions, Hitachi Energy has secured a significant contract from Enowa and the Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) to design, develop, and commission one of the world's first 3 GW, 525 kilovolt (kV) HVDC light transmission systems in NEOM, the futuristic city in northwest Saudi Arabia.

In collaboration with Enowa, the energy and water company of NEOM, and SEC, Hitachi Energy will embark on the pioneering task of designing and developing the initial phase of NEOM's visionary transmission system. Saudi Services for Electro Mechanical Works (SSEM), a consortium partner, will also contribute to this collaborative endeavor.

The project aims to accelerate NEOM's groundbreaking development, which is set to reshape the landscape of sustainable progress. The transmission system will facilitate the connection between the advanced and clean industries located in Oxagon, at the heart of NEOM, and the Yanbu area in Western Saudi Arabia, spanning over a distance of more than 650 km.

Hitachi Energy's responsibilities encompass the design, engineering, procurement of HVDC technology, and commissioning of HVDC Light converter stations. SSEM, a prominent Saudi engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) company specialized in power projects, will design and supply the AC equipment, oversee construction and installation, and manage the conversion of power from AC to DC and back to AC for integration into the receiving grid.

Niklas Persson, Managing Director of Hitachi Energy’s Grid Integration business, expressed enthusiasm for enhancing collaboration with Enowa and SEC. He emphasized the role of Hitachi Energy's expertise and HVDC technologies in driving the global energy system's electrification and transition to renewables, fostering a more sustainable, flexible, and secure energy ecosystem.

Thorsten Schwarz, Executive Director of Grid Technology & Projects at Enowa, highlighted the commitment to supporting Saudi Vision 2030 in partnership with Hitachi Energy and SEC. As the energy and water company of NEOM, Enowa is dedicated to producing and delivering clean and sustainable energy for industrial and commercial applications.

With the partnership laying the foundation for an essential part of NEOM's future grid, this collaboration marks a significant step toward realizing NEOM's ambitions for a sustainable urban future powered by 100 percent clean energy from renewable sources like solar, wind, and green hydrogen.

To achieve this transformative goal, Hitachi Energy will supply three high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission systems with a combined power capacity of up to 9 gigawatts (GW) to Enowa. The partnership will also explore opportunities to nurture local competencies within the Kingdom, including the sustainable assembly of HVDC Light components.