France's EDF reportedly dropped from Saudi Neom project: What to know
EDF was appointed by the Saudi government in January 2024 to carry out preliminary studies on the conception and construction of a hydroelectric power plant in Neom.
Saudi Arabia has dropped French energy major EDF from the $1.5 trillion Neom project, according to a report, as the kingdom continues to scale back its budget and adjust its ambitions for the much-vaunted futuristic desert megacity.
What happened: EDF was appointed by the Saudi government in January 2024 to carry out preliminary studies on the conception and construction of a hydroelectric power plant in Neom, a city in the kingdom's northeast Tabuk region that will be entirely run on renewable energy.
Radio France reported Tuesday that the Saudi authorities had canceled the contract in March, informing EDF that they no longer required the hydroelectric plant and instead "a mix of photovoltaic panels, wind power and batteries should suffice" to power the scaled-back development.
Al-Monitor has contacted EDF and Neom for comment.
