meed-logo

line1 line2 line3
SIGN IN / REGISTER

World’s tallest tower is back on track

24 October 2024

 

The chairman of Saudi Arabia’s Kingdom Holding, Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Al-Saud, published a two-word message on social media platform X on 2 October. The message, which said, “We’re back,” was accompanied by an animated video of a fly-through rendering of the world’s next tallest building, the 1,000-metre-plus Jeddah Tower. 

The post was made shortly after a pivotal event for the tower. Earlier that day, the company developing the project, Jeddah Economic Company (JEC), in which Kingdom Holding is a shareholder, signed a contract with the local Saudi Binladin Group (SBG) to resume construction work on the scheme. The SR7.2bn ($2bn) contract includes SR1.1bn for works already completed on the tower. 

SBG was the original contractor on the project before construction work stalled in 2018. This left the tower’s superstructure about one-third complete, with 63 floors built out of 157. 

Speaking to MEED after the contract signing, Kingdom Holding’s CEO Talal Ibrahim Almaiman echoed and expanded on Prince Alwaleed’s post. 

“We’re back. People have been asking questions about the project after it froze in February 2018. We had the patience, but also the determination to finish it. We will deliver what we promised to deliver at the highest possible quality, with a contractor with a long history of success when it comes to handling such huge projects,” he says.

Contractor selection

Appointing a firm to build a tower that will be the world’s tallest is more than just a major contract signing. 

“There are plenty of successes. Saudi Arabia will soon have the record for the tallest tower in the world. Kingdom Holding is doing what it does best, completing projects at the highest level. Saudi Binladin is going to get back its glory. And the people of Jeddah will have the tallest tower in the world,” says Almaiman.

The appointment of the original contractor after having started a fresh tender process for the project in late 2023 has taken some in the market by surprise. 

“Rather than talk about the past, I would like to talk about the future,” says Almaiman.

“SBG has gone through some technical and financial difficulties in the past. The latest announcement, when the Ministry of Finance said it would support them with their issues with the banks, gave them huge financial credibility. The government of Saudi Arabia being a partner and shareholder in SBG gives us huge confidence,” he adds.

With financial issues put to one side, SBG was able to put together a winning proposal to complete the tower. “The contractor spent a lot of time with our designers, quantity surveyors and other experts and went through each part of the tower and how they plan to build it by moving from floor to floor, and this method was approved by us,” says Almaiman. 

Programme and price were also key factors. “The other consortium we spoke to was planning to finish in 58 months, whereas Binladin was saying 42 months, which is three and a half years,” Almaiman explains, adding: “For pricing, we got a good deal.”

In addition, there were several practical reasons for selecting the original contractor on the project, according to Almaiman. SBG already has offices established on site and, as a Jeddah-based company with a long history of delivering major projects in Saudi Arabia, it has well-established connections with the local supply chain.

With financial issues put to one side, SBG was able to put together a winning proposal to complete the tower

Future vision

Although the Jeddah Tower project has a history that can be traced back over a decade, its ambitions are very much in tune with those of modern Saudi Arabia. 

“It is in line with the government’s Vision 2030 to create attractions for Saudi Arabia,” says Almaiman.

Vision 2030 reinforces the importance of the three-and-a-half-year programme that SBG offered because it puts the tower comfortably on course to be delivered in mid-2028, well ahead of 2030.

Completing the world’s tallest tower is just the start for the wider Jeddah Economic City development. 

“The tower is part of phase one, which is about 1.1 million square metres,” says Almaiman. 

“We are now in discussions with investors about coming in and developing. We will contribute land. We will not be selling land at phase one for the sake of selling. We will control the development and the building code,” he adds.

Securing the title

Building the world’s tallest tower inevitably prompts conversations and speculation about other rival towers being planned around the world. 

However, Almaiman is confident that Jeddah Tower’s reign as the world’s tallest will be lengthy, as he, perhaps better than anyone else, understands the challenges involved in building record-breaking towers. 

“The reason for calling the tower 1,000-plus-metres is because we will add more height. The final height of the tower will be decided by HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal,” he says. 

“The other developers will probably need around 10 years to catch up, and if we keep the title for that long, I will be happy.” 

https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/12787969/main.gif
Colin Foreman

Register for MEED's guest program now to access this article.

Click here to register
Exclusive from Meed
Related Articles
  • Dubai inflation slows to 5.3% in July

    24 August 2026

    Dubai’s annual inflation rate slowed to 5.3% in July, down from 5.7% in June, as a decline in transport costs eased pressure on consumer prices, according to Emirates NBD.

    The bank said the slowdown supported its view that price growth peaked at mid-year, and it expects inflation to continue easing through the rest of 2026. Monthly price growth slowed to 0.1% in July, from 0.4% in June, the weakest pace since February.

    Transport was the clearest sign of the moderation. Annual price growth in the category slowed to 11.9% in July, from 18.1% in June, as transport costs fell 3.7% over the month. Fuel and lubricant inflation eased to 24.1% year on year, from 48.3%, tracking a decline in local petrol prices.

    Petrol remains the main swing factor in the emirate’s inflation. Transport contributed 1.1 percentage points to headline inflation in July, down from 1.7 percentage points in June. Emirates NBD said the relief may prove temporary, with Super 98 petrol prices climbing 5.9% in August to leave them 33.8% higher than a year earlier. The bank expects headline inflation to edge higher in the August figures before easing again later in the year.

    The UAE deregulated petrol and diesel prices in 2015 and reviews them monthly against global prices, meaning changes in global fuel costs pass through to consumers quickly. Transport, which includes fuel, accounts for 9% of Dubai’s consumer price index basket.

    Housing remained the largest contributor to inflation even as its impulse faded. Housing and utilities, which account for about two-fifths of the basket, added 2.8 percentage points to headline inflation. Annual price growth in the category slowed to 7.0%, from 7.4% in January.

    Food inflation edged up to 7.8% year on year, from 7.6% in June, which the bank attributed to lingering supply-chain disruption from the regional conflict. Inflation in restaurants and hotels accelerated to 4.5% year on year, from 1.7% in June.

    Emirates NBD forecasts inflation of 2.9% by year-end but said risks to that projection were tilted to the upside, given lingering pressures in food and housing.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/18961735/main1839.jpg
    Colin Foreman
  • Libya oil project on track for 2027 completion

    24 August 2026

     

    The project to develop a workers’ camp at Libya’s Erawin oil field is on track for completion next year, according to industry sources.

    The project, estimated to be worth about $50m, is being executed by the Libyan oil services company Al-Saraya Al-Hamara, headquartered in the city of Sebha.

    The Libyan company was awarded the contract in February 2025.

    The scope of the project includes:

    • Construction of an accommodation camp
    • Construction of the camp maintenance warehouse
    • Construction of the camp office
    • Construction of a fire brigade shelter
    • Construction of a kitchen and mess hall
    • Construction of a mosque
    • Construction of a laundry room
    • Construction of a clinic
    • Construction of parking facilities
    • Installation of a fire and gas system
    • Installation of a power generator
    • Construction of associated facilities

    The client on the project is Zallaf Libya Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Company.

    Zallaf Libya Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Company was established in Libya in 2013 and is wholly owned by Libya’s state-owned National Oil Corporation.

    The Erawin field development project is located about 800 kilometres south of Tripoli and 100km southwest of the El-Sharara field.

    Libya shipped its first cargo of crude from the Erawin oil field in November 2023.

    The shipment departed from Libya’s Zawiyah port and consisted of 600,000 barrels of crude.

    Australia-based Worley Parsons was appointed as the front-end engineering and design (feed) contractor for the early production facility project in 2019.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/18953632/main.jpg
    Wil Crisp
  • Tunisia extends bid deadline for gas pipeline project

    24 August 2026

    State-owned Tunisian Company of Electricity & Gas (Steg) has extended the bid deadline for a project to develop gas pipelines in the North African country.

    Earlier this year, the project was tendered with a bid deadline of 15 July. The new deadline is 30 September 2026.

    The scope of the project includes conducting studies, procuring equipment and materials, and performing construction work.

    Steg has received financing from the Islamic Development Bank to fund the project.

    The tender has been split into two packages.

    The first pipeline runs from the Tunisian town of Mourouj, in the suburbs of Tunis, to the town of Zriba.

    Along this route, the pipeline will be split into two sections.

    The first extends from Mourouj to the town of Fouchana, which lies to the south of the capital.

    Under existing plans, the pipeline will have a diameter of 20 inches and extend for 3.8 kilometres.

    The second section will extend for 43km to Zriba and have a diameter of 24 inches.

    The contract for package one has a 450-day completion period.

    The project’s second package focuses on a gas pipeline extending from Zriba to the town of M’saken.

    This pipeline will extend for 78km and have a diameter of 24 inches.

    The contract for this package also specifies a 450-day completion period.

    The procedure for the tender of both packages is an international call for tenders under the Islamic Development Bank guidelines for design, supply and installation.

    The Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region is currently seeing a surge in oil and gas pipeline projects as countries attempt to diversify routes through which hydrocarbons can be transported.

    The increased concerns about overreliance on a small number of transportation routes are a result of the regional conflict that started when the US and Israel attacked Iran on 28 February.

    The conflict severely disrupted oil and gas flows through the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting the importance of having a diverse range of import and export routes.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/18953537/main.jpg
    Wil Crisp
  • Saudi Arabia signs $1.16bn bess agreements

    21 August 2026

    Register for MEED’s 14-day trial access 

    Saudi Arabia’s principal buyer, Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC), has signed four storage service agreements for battery energy storage system (bess) projects with a combined capacity of 2,000MW.

    The projects will provide four hours of storage, equivalent to 8,000 megawatt-hours (MWh), and involve total investment of more than SR4.35bn ($1.16bn).

    The agreements cover the first group of independent storage provider (ISP) bess projects being procured by SPPC under a build, own and operate model. The projects are supervised by the Energy Ministry.

    Three projects have been awarded to a consortium comprising Saudi Energy, Acwa and Al-Sharif Contracting & Commercial Development Company.

    These comprise the Al-Muwyah and Haden bess ISPs in the Mecca region, and the Al-Kahafa bess ISP in the Hail region. Each has a capacity of 500MW for four hours.

    The fourth project, the Al-Khushaybi bess ISP in the Qassim region, has been awarded to a consortium of France's Engie and local firm Haji Abdullah Alireza & Co. This also has a capacity of 500MW for four hours. 

    In July, MEED exclusively reported that Acwa and Engie were frontrunners for the Group 1 bess contracts. SPPC launched the qualification process for the scheme in November 2024, with bids submitted last year.

    The projects form part of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to achieve an electricity generation mix comprising approximately 50% renewable energy by 2030.

    Bess 2

    As exclusively reported by MEED, SPPC issued the request for proposals for the second phase of its independent bess projects in July.

    The Group 2 programme comprises six ISP projects with a total capacity of 3GW, equivalent to 12,000MWh based on a four-hour storage duration.

    The six bess projects are:

    • Samha bess ISP: 500MW (Qassim)
    • Al-Leeth bess ISP: 500MW (Mecca)
    • Al-Henakiyah bess ISP: 500MW (Medina)
    • Khulis bess ISP: 500MW (Mecca)
    • Sadawi bess ISP: 500MW (Eastern Province)
    • Ashyrah bess ISP: 500MW (Mecca)

    According to a source, developers have since submitted a first round of clarification requests to SPPC as they prepare their bids in advance of an October deadline.

      On 1 July, MEED reported that up to 27 firms had prequalified to participate in the second phase. SPPC previously received statements of qualification on 13 May.

      It is understood that Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (Masdar, UAE), Acwa (Saudi Arabia), EDF (France), Korea Electric Power Corporation (Kepco, South Korea), International Power (Engie, France) and Marubeni Corporation (Japan) are among the companies likely to make offers for the contracts.

      Winning bidders will hold 100% equity in a special purpose vehicle (SPV), with each SPV entering into a storage services agreement with SPPC as part of the ISP structure. 

      US/India-based Synergy Consulting is advising SPPC on the energy storage Group 1 and Group 2 programmes.

      READ THE AUGUST 2026 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDF

      Saudi Arabia builds for the global stage; Rising uncertainty creates fresh set of challenges in the Maghreb; Gulf banks remain robust in the face of geopolitical tensions.

      Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the August 2026 edition of MEED Business Review includes:

      > MARKET FOCUS: Maghreb fortunes diverge
      To see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click here
      https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/18911926/main2457.jpg
      Mark Dowdall
    • Contractors confirm $683m Oman power plant contract

      21 August 2026

      Register for MEED’s 14-day trial access 

      China-headquartered Shandong Electric Power Construction No. 3 Company (Sepco 3) and South Korea’s Doosan Enerbility have confirmed their involvement as contractors on the 1,700MW Misfah combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) project in Oman.

      In a statement, Sepco 3 said it signed the contract on 20 August. On 21 August, Doosan disclosed a KRW930bn ($683m) contract with Jabel Power, the project company for the Misfah plant. The contract runs from 20 August 2026 to 1 April 2029.

      The same consortium signed the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for the 890MW Duqm CCGT power plant in June. At the time, Doosan disclosed a contract worth about $350m.

      In May, MEED exclusively reported that the group had been appointed as the main contractor for the two power plants, subject to the official signing.

      State offtaker Nama Power & Water Procurement (Nama PWP) had previously signed power-purchase agreements (PPAs) for the development and operation of the plants.

      The developer’s contract was awarded to a consortium comprising Korea Western Power (Kowepo), Qatar’s Nebras Power, the UAE’s Etihad Water & Electricity (EtihadWE) and Oman’s Bhawan Infrastructure Services.

      As MEED understands, construction works have already commenced on the power plant projects. A China-based procurement listing in June shows that civil works procurement was under way for the Misfah independent power producer (IPP).

      The civil package F tender covered piling, reinforcement cages, concrete works and pile testing, with work scheduled to start in July and finish by November

      As reported in July, Germany’s Siemens Energy will supply power generation technology and long-term service agreements for the Misfah and Duqm IPP projects.

      This includes the supply of six F-class gas turbines, six generators and 20-year long-term service agreements for the equipment.

      The Misfah IPP will be led by Nebras Power and located in Wilayat Bousher in Muscat Governorate. The Duqm IPP will be led by Kowepo and located in Wilayat Duqm in Al-Wusta Governorate.

      According to Nama PWP, the total investment for the two projects is estimated at approximately RO1bn ($2.6bn).

      Synergy Consulting is the financial adviser and lead adviser to Nama PWP for these projects.

      In November, Oman’s OQ Gas Networks received final investment approval to proceed with gas supply connections for the facilities.

      The Misfah IPP will receive 8.5 million cubic metres a day (cm/d) of natural gas. The Duqm IPP will be supplied with 4.5 million cm/d of natural gas.

      In March 2025, the same Sepco 3 and Doosan Enerbility consortium signed an EPC contract with Saudi Electricity Company to expand Riyadh Power Plant 12 (PP12). Located about 150 kilometres northwest of Riyadh, the 1,863MW power plant is expected to be completed in 2028.

      READ THE AUGUST 2026 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDF

      Saudi Arabia builds for the global stage; Rising uncertainty creates fresh set of challenges in the Maghreb; Gulf banks remain robust in the face of geopolitical tensions.

      Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the August 2026 edition of MEED Business Review includes:

      > MARKET FOCUS: Maghreb fortunes diverge
      To see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click here
      https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/18911106/main.jpg
      Mark Dowdall