The contract underlines the growing momentum of the project. (Image source: SPA)

Expo 2030 Riyadh has awarded its Main Utilities and Civil Works package to Nesma & Partners, marking a key milestone in the development of one of the world’s most ambitious upcoming mega-events.

The announcement signals the project’s shift from early preparatory works to large-scale construction activity.

The awarded package will prepare the site for subsequent construction phases while supporting the operational requirements of the event. It covers the construction of internal roads across the Expo site and the installation of essential utilities that will serve as the infrastructure backbone for the entire development.

Approximately 50km of infrastructure networks are included in the scope of work, encompassing water and sewage systems, electrical and communication networks, and EV charging stations. These foundational works are crucial for enabling the next stages of the master plan, allowing Expo 2030 Riyadh’s signature structures and visitor experiences to take shape.

The contract underlines the growing momentum of the project as it progresses toward its target launch, highlighting the scale and complexity involved in delivering the infrastructure needed for a world-class international exhibition.

“This milestone marks an important step in accelerating construction activities in the Expo 2030 Riyadh site,” said Talal Al-Marri, CEO of Expo 2030 Riyadh Company. “By moving early on the infrastructure that underpins the entire site, we are creating the conditions for safe, coordinated, and high-quality delivery across all future phases of development, while ensuring a lasting legacy well beyond 2030. The contract has been awarded ahead of schedule to accelerate the delivery timeline as part of a phased approach that will see construction across infrastructure, buildings, and public spaces advance steadily through 2026 and into early 2027. ”

Samer Abdul Samad, president & chief executive officer of Nesma & Partners, said, “We are proud to be entrusted with delivering this phase of infrastructure for Expo 2030 Riyadh. This project is not only about scale, but also about precision, integration, and responsibility. Our focus will be on delivering high-quality infrastructure that supports the ambition of Expo 2030 Riyadh and sets a strong foundation for everything that follows.”

Saudi Arabia and Bahrain have reaffirmed their close strategic partnership following the fourth meeting of the Saudi-Bahraini Coordination Council, co-chaired by Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman and Bahrain’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa in Manama.

The meeting was held in line with the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, underscoring the long-standing political, economic and social ties between the two neighbouring countries. Senior officials and heads of joint committees from both sides attended the session.

At the start of the meeting, Prince Salman bin Hamad welcomed the Saudi Crown Prince, highlighting the strength of bilateral relations and the deep bonds between the two leaderships and peoples. Prince Mohammed bin Salman expressed his pleasure at visiting Bahrain and meeting with King Hamad and the Bahraini Crown Prince, stressing King Salman’s continued support for strengthening cooperation and expanding joint action across a wide range of sectors.

The meeting was marked by the signing of a series of agreements and memoranda of understanding aimed at deepening collaboration in key strategic areas. These included an MoU on nuclear safety and radiation protection between Saudi Arabia’s Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Commission and Bahrain’s Supreme Council for Environment, as well as a cooperation programme between the two countries’ diplomatic studies institutes.

Economic cooperation featured prominently, with agreements signed on the avoidance of double taxation, the promotion and protection of competition, sustainable development cooperation, and the promotion of direct investment. Additional MoUs were concluded covering rail transport cooperation, higher education partnerships between King Saud University and the University of Bahrain, and collaboration in developing the non-profit sector.

Together, the agreements reflect a broad and integrated approach to bilateral cooperation, spanning energy, environment, education, transport, investment, diplomacy and social development. They also align with both countries’ national development priorities and long-term economic diversification strategies.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman thanked Prince Salman bin Hamad for the warm reception and the effective organisation of the council session, praising the constructive outcomes achieved. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the distinguished Saudi-Bahraini partnership and expressed their shared aspirations for continued security, stability and prosperity.

The two leaderships also extended their appreciation to committee members, the Executive Committee, the General Secretariat and working groups for their efforts in supporting the council’s work. It was agreed that the fifth meeting of the Saudi-Bahraini Coordination Council will be held in Saudi Arabia, with the date to be determined by the council’s general secretariat.

NEOM Green Hydrogen Company (NGHC) has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding with Fahd bin Sultan University to establish a three-year framework for cooperation focused on education, research and talent development in Saudi Arabia’s Tabuk region.

The agreement was formalised at the university’s campus in Tabuk and signed by Professor Dr Abdullah bin Ibrahim Hussein and Wesam Alghamdi, chief executive of NEOM Green Hydrogen Company. The partnership is aimed at supporting the Kingdom’s transition towards a knowledge-based economy by strengthening local capabilities for the rapidly growing clean energy and hydrogen sectors.

NGHC said the collaboration comes at a pivotal stage in the development of its flagship project, with around 90 per cent of the world’s largest green hydrogen plant now complete across all sites. As the company moves from construction into testing, commissioning and ultimately full operations, it is placing increased emphasis on building national talent to support long-term operational excellence.

Under the memorandum, NGHC and Fahd bin Sultan University will work together on training programmes, academic research initiatives, scientific events and specialised technical development activities. A central feature of the agreement is the introduction of a bridging programme that will allow diploma holders to progress towards a bachelor’s degree in line with university regulations. The partnership also provides for the exchange of expertise, practical training opportunities for students, defined employment pathways and participation in workshops and seminars.

The two organisations will hold regular meetings to oversee implementation, appoint coordinators to manage joint activities and ensure continuity of cooperation beyond the duration of the memorandum.

Through the collaboration, a range of courses will be offered to equip students with industry-relevant skills, including engineering and technician programmes, technical and administrative training, occupational health and safety modules, and specialised content focused on renewable energy and hydrogen technologies.

Wesam Alghamdi, CEO of NEOM Green Hydrogen Company, said: "Developing national talent is fundamental to the long-term success of NEOM Green Hydrogen Company as we prepare to operate the world’s largest green hydrogen plant and support the growth of the broader clean energy economy in Saudi Arabia."

Professor Dr Abdullah bin Ibrahim Hussein said, "This memorandum reflects our commitment to advancing education that responds directly to the needs of future industries."

The partnership is positioned as a model for industry–academic collaboration, supporting Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification ambitions and its leadership in renewable energy and sustainable development.

EMSTEEL has announced new progress with the Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC) to decarbonise steel production by sourcing clean, nuclear-generated electricity through Abu Dhabi’s Clean Energy Certificates Programme, certified under the I-REC Standard and managed by Emirates Water & Electricity Company (EWEC).

The move enables EMSTEEL to access verified low-carbon electricity, directly reducing its Scope 2 emissions and lowering the overall carbon footprint of steel produced in the UAE. The company said it is the first steelmaker in the region to utilise Clean Energy Certificates generated from nuclear power, positioning it at the forefront of decarbonisation in one of the world’s most carbon-intensive industries.

The latest development builds on a decade-long partnership between EMSTEEL and ENEC. During the construction of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant – the first multi-unit operational nuclear facility in the Middle East and North Africa – EMSTEEL supplied 160,000 tonnes of nuclear-grade rebar, accounting for around 60% of the project’s total rebar requirements.

EMSTEEL said the initiative supports TrueGreen, its sustainability identity that brings together its long-running decarbonisation efforts. The company has now integrated 86 per cent clean electricity across its steel operations and 14% across cement production. In total, this includes 1,484,067 MWh from nuclear power and 651,594 MWh from solar certificates across both businesses. EMSTEEL aims to reach 100 per cent clean electricity by 2030 as part of its long-term decarbonisation roadmap.

Eng Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi, Group CEO of EMSTEEL, said, “Clean energy, technology enablement, and verified data are central to credible industrial decarbonisation. Through TrueGreen, we are integrating these principles into every aspect of our operations. This synergy with ENEC strengthens our clean energy portfolio and supports our long-term strategy to scale low-carbon steel production. It reflects how national partnerships can accelerate industrial transformation and position the UAE as a global leader in sustainable manufacturing.”

His Excellency Mohamed Al Hammadi, Managing Director and Group CEO of ENEC, said, “Pairing ENEC’s carbon-free baseload electricity with EMSTEEL’s continuous industrial load demand shows what the energy transition looks like in practice: clean power at industrial scale, delivered with traceable certificates while in parallel ensuring grid reliability.”

The collaboration highlights how cross-sector partnerships are supporting the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 Strategy, while reinforcing the role of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, which supplies up to 25 per cent of the country’s electricity demand and avoids around 22.4 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually.