Kent appointed as owner’s engineer for landmark Yanbu Green Hydrogen Hub by ACWA Power

Kent, a global leader in integrated energy services, has been appointed by ACWA Power as the Owner’s Engineer for the Yanbu Green Hydrogen Hub — a flagship green hydrogen and ammonia export facility under development in Saudi Arabia. This transformative project is poised to become one of the largest of its kind globally, serving as a cornerstone of the Kingdom’s clean energy ambitions and closely aligning with Vision 2030.

Located in the Red Sea port city of Yanbu, the project will encompass the entire green hydrogen value chain. It will include dedicated renewable energy generation, desalination, green hydrogen and ammonia production, and an export terminal. At full capacity, the facility is expected to produce up to 400,000 tonnes of renewable hydrogen annually, which will be converted into over 2.2 million tonnes of green ammonia for global export. With more than 4 gigawatts of electrolysis capacity planned, the Yanbu Hub is set to nearly double the scale of the NEOM Green Hydrogen Project.

In its role as Owner’s Engineer, Kent will act as ACWA Power’s technical representative during the front-end engineering design (FEED) phase, which is being delivered through a joint venture between Técnicas Reunidas and Sinopec. Kent’s responsibilities will include ensuring the engineering design complies with international standards, reviewing safety and constructability, managing integration and technical interfaces across workstreams, advising on risk mitigation and design optimisation, and preparing for a smooth transition into the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) phase.

John Gilley, CEO of Kent, commented: “We are honoured to support ACWA Power on a project of such global importance. As Owner’s Engineer, we bring our deep technical expertise and extensive experience in managing complex energy projects to ensure a safe, scalable, and sustainable foundation for the future of hydrogen infrastructure.”

Marco Arcelli, CEO of ACWA Power, added: "The Yanbu Green Hydrogen Hub marks a significant milestone in realising Saudi Arabia’s hydrogen vision and reinforces ACWA Power’s position as a global leader in clean energy. Our collaboration with Kent ensures world-class technical oversight as we move toward final investment decisions and construction, furthering our commitment to innovation and sustainable energy at scale."

Kent’s appointment underscores its growing role in the Middle East’s energy transition and reflects its global commitment to advancing decarbonised energy systems.