By Viren Sookhun, MD for Africa and Middle East at Workforce Staffing

Saudi Arabia has set ambitious targets in its drive to secure a sustainable energy future, with plans to generate up to 600GW of renewable energy in the next few decades. This vision encompasses massive solar installations across the desert, large-scale wind projects along the Red Sea coast and a pioneering role in green fuel production, including an almost-completed facility in Oxagon that will export millions of tons of green ammonia to Europe annually. The scale of these projects will benefit not just Saudi Arabia, but the world as a whole. By exporting sustainable electricity and green fuels, the kingdom is positioning itself at the centre of the global energy transition. However, one challenge could be critical: finding the right people to support the journey.

A shortage of specialist skills

The ability to deliver such a large volume of renewable energy will require not just significant engineering skills, but a huge depth and diversity of other expertise. From solar PV engineers, Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) specialists and wind turbine technicians, to hydrogen scientists, fuel cell technicians, compliance experts, operations and maintenance teams and more, the list of specialised roles is extensive.

In markets across the globe, we already see shortages of highly skilled professionals, particularly those with Front-End Engineering and Design (FEED) experience. Without sufficient talent, projects risk being delayed, compromised in quality, or rendered unbankable due to inefficiencies in design and delivery.

Mobilising a global workforce

No single country holds all the skills required to achieve Saudi Arabia’s vision. The solution lies in unlocking a global talent pool. However, accessing and moving international talent is not straightforward. Saudi Arabia’s regulatory environment requires sponsorships, Ministry of Labour registration, local payroll compliance and strict adherence to immigration rules. These measures are designed to ensure transparency and fairness, but they create complex layers of bureaucracy for contractors and developers.

For the companies tasked with building Saudi Arabia’s energy future, the focus should be on delivering high-quality, cost-effective projects, not being distracted by administrative hurdles. This is why partnering with a reliable, compliant workforce solutions provider is essential. By simplifying mobilisation, removing red tape and ensuring ethical employment practices, developers can access the best expertise the world has to offer.

Getting the people side right

The clean energy transition represents a global shift and it requires a change in global mindset alongside it. By enabling global collaboration in clean energy, projects like those underway in Saudi Arabia create new opportunities for workers worldwide. Skilled professionals gain access to international projects, higher earnings and career development, while also contributing meaningfully to the transition away from fossil fuels. At the same time, the ripple effects of Saudi Arabia’s investments will accelerate decarbonisation across sectors, spur industrial innovation and promote a more interconnected global economy.

 

The right skills to move these projects forward are essential. Saudi Arabia’s 600GW renewable energy ambition can only be realised with a workforce strategy that is global, compliant and forward-looking. Investing in the right talent solutions will allow Saudi Arabia to not only deliver on its Vision 2030 goals, but to establish itself as a global leader in clean energy and drive benefits that reach well beyond its own borders.