Saudi Arabia’s Western region is driving a construction pipeline worth US$692bn, accounting for 55% of the Kingdom’s US$1.25tn development plan, according to Knight Frank.

The region, led by Jeddah, is seeing projects of unprecedented scale that are reshaping its skyline and positioning it at the centre of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 transformation.

Saudi Arabia’s construction output reached US$141.5bn in 2023, up 4.3% from the previous year, and is forecast to hit US$181.5bn by 2028, making it the largest construction market globally.

In Jeddah, landmark developments include Jeddah Central, a US$19.9bn coastal redevelopment featuring a marina, beaches, museums, a stadium, and 2,700 hotel rooms; Jeddah Tower, set to surpass 1 km in height and become the world’s tallest building; and the restoration of UNESCO-listed Al-Balad.

Additional mega projects such as Jeddah Cove and Airport City further highlight the city’s diverse blend of heritage, commerce, leisure, and infrastructure.

The residential sector continues to lead the Kingdom’s construction activity, accounting for US$43.5bn, or 31% of output in 2023, with projections to reach US$56.9bn by 2028.

Power and utilities follow closely, valued at US$35.1bn in 2023 and expected to rise to US$46.5bn by 2028.

This scale and diversification reflect the breadth of opportunity across the construction ecosystem, opening doors for both local and international companies.

The Western region’s construction boom is also spurring new demand for advanced technologies, expertise, and sustainable practices.

With projects on a scale never seen before in the Kingdom, companies are positioning themselves to align with Vision 2030 objectives, tapping into opportunities ranging from smart urban design and digital construction to offsite solutions and renewable energy integration.

Industry leaders, investors, architects, engineers, and developers are increasingly turning their focus towards Jeddah, where rapid urbanisation and large-scale developments are fuelling demand for cutting-edge products and services.

Amidst all this, Jeddah Construct is to return to the city from 28-30 September. 

Jeddah Construct, the largest construction gathering in Saudi Arabia’s Western Province, serves as a vital meeting point for industry professionals, offering three days of networking, business opportunities and knowledge sharing. By drawing influential decision-makers and highlighting top manufacturers and suppliers, the event has become a key destination for those looking to engage with Jeddah’s fast-growing construction sector.

“Jeddah Construct reflects the scale and ambition of the construction market in Saudi Arabia’s Western Province. With significant investment concentrated in the region, the event offers a strategic setting for companies to connect with industry leaders, present their solutions and explore opportunities aligned with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 objectives,” said Muhammed Kazi, senior vice president – construction at dmg events. “It is an environment where the market’s ambitions for growth and the partnerships shaping its future come together.” 

From the natural gas that underpins power generation to the carbon dioxide emissions driving the climate crisis, there is no denying gases have a significant impact on modern life, according to Eve Pope, senior technology analyst at IDTechEx.

The two lightest gases - hydrogen and helium - may be made up of small molecules but have a big role to play in the technology innovations of the future. Key application areas include mobility, power generation, and semiconductor manufacturing.

Hydrogen power

Hydrogen is an energy carrier that could replace fossil fuels to power the future. Fuel cells can convert hydrogen gas into electricity through a chemical reaction with oxygen. Because solid oxide fuel cells have a long operating lifetime and fuel flexibility, they are well-suited to the continuous power generation required for sustainable data centres. As the AI boom continues, some data centres are already using solid oxide fuel cells running on natural gas, with plans to transition over to low-carbon hydrogen once economics and infrastructure can make this commercially feasible.

For cars, fuel cell electric vehicles can also be powered by the reactions between stored hydrogen and oxygen in the air. Markets for fuel cell electric vehicles will depend upon national investments in green hydrogen projects and rollouts of hydrogen refueling stations.

Industrial decarbonisation of iron and steel enabled by hydrogen

For iron and steel, natural gas direct reduced iron (DRI) production using shaft furnaces is already mature. Hydrogen-based DRI (H2-DRI) processes represent the next logical evolution toward greener steel production. Midrex and Energiron shaft furnace plants have successfully demonstrated the use of hydrogen or hydrogen-rich gases, as evidenced in projects like HYBRIT by SSAB in Sweden and HBIS Group in China.

The success of hydrogen-based green steel production will depend heavily upon the availability of green and blue hydrogen and supporting infrastructure, with IDTechEx’s “Green Steel 2025-2035: Technologies, Players, Markets, Forecasts” report forecasting that 46 million tonnes of steel will be produced enabled by hydrogen in 2035.

Hydrogen isotopes for nuclear fusion

Even the heavier isotopes of hydrogen have a role to play. Deuterium and tritium are essential fuels for nuclear fusion technologies, hoped to provide energy-dense, continuous sources of green energy with no risk of meltdown. According to IDTechEx’s “Fusion Energy Market 2025-2045: Technologies, Players, Timelines” report, commercial fusion companies have raised over US$9bn to date, while an increasing number of governments see fusion as the modern day 'space race'. Players are pursuing different reactor designs and fuels, leading to various materials opportunities and supply chain challenges.

Helium required for semiconductor manufacturing

Helium is widely used in manufacturing processes due to its cooling and inert properties. It is crucial for thermal management during semiconductor production. As semiconductor manufacturing advances towards smaller nodes (essential for AI, autonomous vehicles, etc.), reliance on helium will continue to grow. Helium is a finite resource, so technologies for helium production and helium substitutes covered in IDTechEx’s “Helium for Semiconductors and Beyond 2025-2035: Market, Trends, and Forecasts” report will become increasingly essential.

Materials key to hydrogen and helium production

From the ion exchange membranes in electrolyzers for green hydrogen generation to the gas separation membranes used in helium and hydrogen production, the applications explored in this article represent significant opportunities for chemicals and materials companies. Materials for green hydrogen are needed for components such as catalysts, electrodes, porous transport layers, gas diffusion layers, bipolar plates, and gaskets. Innovations include new catalysts with less iridium content to cut costs. For gas separation membranes, the development of new palladium-alloy metallic membranes could unlock ultra-pure H2 separation.

While the Gulf states dominate headlines with their giga-scale renewable projects, other countries across the Middle East are also making decisive strides in solar deployment, says Sania Aziz.

From Iraq’s urgent energy recovery plans to Jordan’s pioneering policy frameworks, and even Syria’s reliance on decentralised solar for essential services, these markets illustrate both the diversity of approaches and the pressing need for clean energy outside the Gulf.

Iraq: turning crisis into opportunity

Iraq’s fragile electricity system has long been defined by chronic shortages, blackouts, and reliance on ageing thermal plants. With grid losses and limited connectivity compounding the problem, solar energy has emerged as a critical tool in the country’s recovery strategy. The government has set a target of 10 GW of solar by 2030, with more than 2 GW already under signed agreements.

International partnerships are at the heart of this growth. Masdar is spearheading a 1 GW solar framework, while TotalEnergies is pursuing similar-scale projects across multiple governorates. Smaller hybrid systems, combining solar with diesel generation, are being rolled out in remote areas and displaced communities to improve reliability and reduce dependence on costly fuel imports. Rooftop solar is also gaining traction in Baghdad, Erbil, and Basra, where businesses and households seek backup power.

Jordan: a regional solar leader

Jordan stands out as one of the most mature solar markets outside the Gulf, having embraced renewables early with a strong mix of policy and private sector participation. The country has installed over 2.1 GW of solar capacity to date, supported by successful net metering and wheeling programmes that empower both households and industries to self-generate clean power.

Flagship projects such as the Baynouna Solar Park and the Quweira PV plant have established Jordan as a hub for international investors. In parallel, Jordan has taken a leadership role in deploying solar in humanitarian contexts, with the Zaatari refugee camp powered by a large solar facility that cuts costs while ensuring reliable supply for vulnerable populations. As solar penetration deepens, battery storage pilots are being tested to reduce curtailment and enhance grid resilience.

Syria: decentralised lifelines in conflict zones

Years of conflict and international sanctions have left Syria’s energy infrastructure severely weakened. In this context, solar has become less a matter of policy and more of necessity. Small-scale, off-grid systems, often supported by NGOs and international agencies, are supplying critical power to rural communities, schools, and medical centres.

While Syria possesses strong solar potential thanks to its climate and geography, large-scale projects remain unlikely in the near term due to financing and investment barriers. For now, decentralised solar-battery kits provide lifelines for basic services such as water pumping, lighting, and mobile charging. These deployments, though small in scale, demonstrate the essential role solar can play in humanitarian and recovery contexts.

The non-GCC markets highlight the diversity of solar adoption in the Middle East. Iraq is harnessing solar to stabilise its grid, Jordan is refining innovative policy mechanisms, and Syria is deploying solar as a humanitarian tool. Each country faces unique barriers, whether political, financial, or infrastructural, but all share a recognition that solar must underpin their future energy strategies.

For investors, technology providers, and policymakers, these markets present both risk and reward. While the Gulf may dominate with scale, non-GCC nations demonstrate the versatility of solar, from powering refugee camps to rebuilding fragile energy systems. Together, they remind us that the Middle East’s clean energy transition is not only about mega-projects, but also about how renewable power can be adapted to diverse national realities.