Saudi Arabia Is Building the World’s Largest Sea-Based Industrial Site. And it will run on 100% clean energy. Saudi Arabia announced the construction of an eight-sided city called OXAGON that would float on the Red Sea and be run solely on clean energy, according to a press release.

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has announced the establishment of OXAGON, forming the next phase of NEOM’s master plan and representing a radical new model for future manufacturing centers.

“OXAGON will be the catalyst for economic growth and diversity in NEOM and the Kingdom, further meeting our ambitions under Vision 2030. OXAGON will contribute to redefining the world’s approach to industrial development in the future, protecting the environment while creating jobs and growth for NEOM. It will contribute to Saudi Arabia’s regional trade and commerce, and support creating a new focal point for global trade flows. I am pleased to see that business and development have started on the ground and we look forward to the city’s rapid expansion,” the Crown Prince said in his announcement.

Strategic Location:

#OXAGON is strategically located to enable global impact for its businesses. Situated in NEOM with the Suez Canal nearby, OXAGON will deliver unprecedented local, regional and global connectivity. It will have best-in-class road, air, high-speed rail and maritime transport links. In fact, OXAGON is just 4 hours away from 40% of the world by plane.

Comprising a large area in the southwest corner of NEOM, the core urban environment is centered around the integrated port and logistics hub that will house most the city’s anticipated residents. The unique octagonal design minimizes impact on the environment and provides optimal land usage, with the remainder open to preserve 95% of the natural environment. A defining feature of the city is the world’s largest floating structure, which will become a center for NEOM’s Blue Economy and achieve sustainable growth.

Renewable Energy: OXAGON runs on 100% clean energy – because to change the world, we must also protect it.

The net-zero city will be powered by 100% clean energy and will become a focal point for industry leaders who want to pioneer change to create the advanced and clean factories of the future. Seven sectors form the nucleus of OXAGON’s industrial development, with innovation and new technology creating a vital base for these industries. These industries are sustainable energy; autonomous mobility; water innovation; sustainable food production; health and well-being; technology and digital manufacturing (including telecommunications, space technology and robotics); and modern methods of construction; all powered by 100% renewable energy.

Advance Technology:

The city will also be equipped with the most advanced technologies currently deployed such as the Internet of Things (IoT), human-machine fusion, artificial and predictive intelligence, and robotics. It will serve seven industries using only clean energy, which are sustainable energy, autonomous mobility, water innovation, sustainable food production, health and well-being, technology and digital manufacturing (including telecommunications, space technology, and robotics), and modern methods of construction.

“Through OXAGON, there will be a fundamental shift in how the world views manufacturing centers. What encourages us is to see the enthusiasm of several our partners who have shown eagerness to start their projects in OXAGON. These pioneers of change will establish factories, developed with the latest technologies in artificial intelligence, to achieve a significant leap for this era into the Fourth Industrial Revolution. As with THE LINE, OXAGON will be a comprehensive cognitive city that provides exceptional livability for its residents,” Nadhmi Al-Nasr, CEO of NEOM, said.

OXAGON will establish the world’s first fully integrated port and supply chain ecosystem for NEOM. The port, logistics and rail delivery facility will be unified, providing world-class productivity levels with net-zero carbon emissions, setting global benchmarks in the adoption of technology and environmental sustainability.