Yet at least another 2,152 power plants are under construction or scheduled to be commissioned by 2026. This transition will profoundly reshape the global energy landscape. Among these are a few projects that are noteworthy not just for their capacity sizes, but for their pioneering approaches to generating energy. From the Neom Green Hydrogen Solar PV Park, Saudi Arabia, expected to be the world’s largest power plant when finished. At the same time, New Mexico’s SunZia Wind Project will be a watershed moment for the future of wind energy.
These advancements represent a notable shift in the direction of renewables and sustainability, based on the need to address the world’s rising energy needs. This intersection of advanced technology and unprecedented capital investment in our infrastructure marks a new turning point for our collective energy production.
Neom Green Hydrogen Solar PV Park
Artist rendering of the Neom Green Hydrogen Solar PV Park in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Once completed, it will be the largest power plant in the world by total capacity producing a jaw-dropping 4 gigawatts (GW) of power. This transformational project includes renewable power generation and green hydrogen production and hydrogen storage capabilities. It will run a special purpose, unique-enough-to-be-handy-darling transmission grid all in that one ecosystem. This method improves the efficiency and sustainability of energy delivery.
This $8.4 billion venture is owned by the NEOM Green Hydrogen Company (NGHC). This is a real statement of deep, dynamic collaboration among ACWA Power, Air Products and NEOM Company. The project will generate an estimated 600 tonnes of green hydrogen daily. Beyond its scale, it will be unique in using the most advanced technology from both Air Products and thyssenkrupp. The facility aims to produce as much as 1.2 million tonnes of green ammonia per year. This will be instrumental in the clean energy transition happening across the world.
As of January 2026, NGHC communicated that construction on all sites for the Neom project was about 90% done. This milestone is a testament to a staggering pace of development. It does this by addressing the increasing energy needs of the region and beyond.
SunZia Wind Project
The United States’ SunZia Wind Project is set to become a historic first. In 2026, it will surpass Kashiwazaki Kariwa and become the second-largest power plant in the world considering total capacity, producing impressive 3.5 GW of power. When complete, this project will be the largest onshore wind project in U.S. history. It serves as a key and historic leap forward for the establishment of an offshore wind energy development throughout the entire Western Hemisphere.
The SunZia program, which includes wind and transmission projects, represents an investment of $11 billion. Its economic impact is already paying dividends to New Mexico and Arizona with an estimated $20.5 billion in returns. This project is an excellent use of wind energy. It paints a colorful picture of how renewable resources are providing clean, sustainable power and stimulating local economies.
The SunZia Wind Project represents one of the most significant commitments to renewable energy in the history of the U.S. It aligns with national goals to reduce carbon emissions and move away from fossil fuels.
Significant Hydropower and Nuclear Developments
Angola’s Caculo Cabaça hydroelectric power station, expected to come online in 2026. When completed, it will be the largest hydropower project in the world, featuring a staggering capacity of 2.17 GW. This facility will produce more than the Laúca plant’s existing output of 2.07 GW. This will further bolster Angola’s commitment to expanding its energy infrastructure with renewable sources. Once operational, the Caculo Cabaça station is projected to strengthen the country’s electricity grid while supporting national and regional stability.
Meanwhile, in China, the Zhongwei Coal Fired Power Plant expansion in Ningxia represents a significant development in coal-fired energy generation. This expansion has a remarkable capacity of 2.64 GW. It will serve both as a peak-regulating source for the Ningxia Tengger desert-Gobi-wasteland energy base and as the source reinforcing the Ningxia–Hunan UHV DC transmission project. This investment is a stark reminder of our continued dependence on traditional energy sources, even as the transition to renewables picks up speed.
In South Korea, new Saeul 3 and 4 pressurized water reactors (PWRs) are ramping up to come online in 2026. Each reactor will have an impressive output of 1.4 GW, making them the largest nuclear units yet to go online. The addition of these reactors at the Saeul Nuclear Power Site in Ulsan will serve to diversify South Korea’s energy portfolio. In doing so, they’ll help bring a more stable electricity supply to all Americans.