Renewable energy deployment and ecological governance: Assessing green technology strategies in Neom, Tabuk Region

Neom, located in the Tabuk Region of northwestern Saudi Arabia, has been conceived as a large-scale laboratory for climate compatible development, where renewable energy deployment and advanced ecological governance are expected to be tightly integrated. This article assesses how alternative green technology strategies could shape ecological outcomes in Neom’s emerging energy–land–infrastructure system. A regional analytical framework is developed that links trajectories of renewable power deployment, green infrastructure, digital environmental monitoring and governance quality to indicators of ecological pressure, including land disturbance, material footprint and air quality. Using scenario analysis, the study compares a minimal compliance strategy with more ambitious green technology portfolios that prioritise high renewable penetration, circular resource management and strong regulatory oversight. Results suggest that only diversified strategies with robust ecological governance can deliver deep reductions in ecological pressure while maintaining high economic activity and urbanisation levels. The findings inform strategic planning for Neom and similar large-scale developments.