After years of cost overruns and delays, Saudi Arabia’s flagship futuristic megaproject, Neom, is set to be significantly scaled back. The futuristic super-city, meant to run entirely on alternative energy sources, was due to host the 2029 Asian Winter Games, which has now been postponed.
Saudi Arabia is set to significantly scale back Neom, its flagship super-city project.
According to reports, Saudi Crown Prince and Neom chairman Mohammed bin Salman now envisions a much smaller development than originally planned, following years of cost overruns and delays.
On Saturday, the kingdom announced the indefinite postponement of the Asian Winter Games, which had been scheduled for 2029 at Trojena, a year-round ski resort in the Neom mountains.
In addition to downsizing Trojena, work is reportedly underway to radically redesign The Line, the futuristic linear city and Neom’s centrepiece, which was originally planned to stretch 170 kilometres inland from the Red Sea across desert mountains.
The decision to scale back Neom and postpone the Asian Games appears to reflect mounting pressure on Riyadh’s ambitious projects amid a subdued oil price. Brent crude is currently trading just above $60 a barrel.
