Saudi Arabia’s NEOM City project continues to capture global attention in 2025. Positioned at the heart of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 strategy, NEOM promises to redefine urban living with its futuristic design, sustainability goals, and massive investments. But while excitement remains high, the project has also faced scale-backs, delays, and management shifts that are reshaping its trajectory.

What Is NEOM?

NEOM is a mega-development on the Red Sea coast designed to blend technology, sustainability, and luxury living. It’s made up of four flagship projects:

  • THE LINE – a 170 km linear smart city with no cars, roads, or emissions.
  • Oxagon – a floating industrial hub and center for renewable energy.
  • Trojena – a mountain resort with skiing and adventure tourism.
  • Sindalah – a luxury island getaway in the Red Sea.

2025 Progress Updates

THE LINE – Ambitious but Scaled Back

Originally envisioned as a 170 km long city to house 1.5 million people, THE LINE is seeing adjustments. Current plans suggest that only around 2.4 km will be completed by 2030, hosting about 300,000 residents. Foundations are already in place, and vertical construction is expected to begin by late 2025 or early 2026.

Oxagon & Green Hydrogen

NEOM’s Green Hydrogen Project is one of the most advanced components so far, with construction reaching 80% progress by mid-2025. This includes massive solar and wind farms, electrolysers, and facilities for ammonia production — paving the way for one of the world’s largest renewable hydrogen exports by 2027.

Trojena & Sindalah

  • Trojena, the futuristic mountain resort, is under active development with infrastructure aimed at being operational by 2026.
  • Sindalah Island has faced delays in public opening and is now managed by Red Sea Global, signaling adjustments in project oversight.

Workforce Expansion

To accelerate construction, NEOM has increased its workforce to over 200,000 workers in 2025. Supporting infrastructure like housing, transport, and utilities is also being rapidly developed to sustain the growing operations.

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Challenges Facing NEOM

Despite its vision, NEOM has encountered significant hurdles:

  • Escalating costs – with budgets ballooning far beyond initial estimates.
  • Delays & scaling back – some targets for 2030 are being revised downward.
  • Management restructuring – changes in leadership and oversight of certain components.

Analysts suggest that while parts of NEOM may launch by 2030, full completion could take decades.

What’s Next for NEOM?

  • THE LINE’s vertical construction to begin late 2025/early 2026.
  • Green hydrogen exports projected to start in 2027.
  • Trojena’s mountain resort targeting readiness around 2026.

Even with adjustments, NEOM remains one of the world’s most ambitious mega-projects. Its progress — and setbacks — will not only impact Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 but could also influence how future cities around the globe are designed.

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