Are Fully Renewable Energy Cities Possible? Insights from NEOM, Germany, and China

Discover how NEOM, Germany, and China are building cities powered entirely by renewable energy, bold visions shaping our green future.

A closer look at NEOM, Germany’s energy pioneers, and China’s green urban transformations.

As the world intensifies efforts to combat climate change, the spotlight is turning toward a new breed of cities: those running entirely on clean, renewable energy. While skeptics still question the practicality of a one-hundred-percent green grid, real-world examples are beginning to shift the conversation from if to how soon.

Below, we explore key case studies from Saudi Arabia, Germany, and China, analyze their current progress, and weigh expert opinions on whether these efforts represent scalable solutions — or experimental anomalies.

NEOM: Saudi Arabia’s Vision of a Post-Carbon Megacity

The world’s most ambitious renewable energy city under construction

Located along the Red Sea coast, NEOM is one of the boldest smart city projects ever launched. As part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, NEOM is being designed from scratch to be powered exclusively by renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and green hydrogen.

One of its most radical components, The Line, is a linear, car-free city that promises zero emissions, autonomous transport, and AI-managed systems integrated across urban life. With sustainability at its core, NEOM represents a futuristic ecosystem where environmental impact is near zero and innovation drives urban functionality.

While the idea has been met with both excitement and skepticism, the project’s true test will come in the coming years, especially by mid-decade when early phases become operational. If successful, NEOM could serve as a new global blueprint for zero-carbon cities.

Germany’s Proven Models for Energy-Independent Living

Feldheim and Freiburg: European cities making clean energy a way of life

Germany has long led Europe’s transition to sustainable energy. Cities like Freiburg have become global examples of solar integration and smart grid usage. Public transportation systems, urban planning, and building architecture in these cities all align with long-term green energy goals.

More notably, the village of Feldheim is entirely independent from Germany’s national power grid. It runs on a combination of wind, solar, and biomass, and supplies clean electricity and heat to all its residents and businesses.

While smaller in scale, Feldheim offers a replicable model for suburban and rural areas, proving that with the right policy framework and community engagement, fully renewable energy living is possible, today.

China’s Green Shift in Industrial Cities

From coal powerhouses to solar cities: China’s rapid transformation

China, the world’s largest emitter of carbon, is undergoing a radical energy transition, especially in its industrial regions. Once known for coal production, cities like Datong are being reimagined as clean-energy hubs.

Massive solar farms, wind farms, and grid-scale battery storage projects are being deployed across former mining zones. China is also investing in smart grids that monitor and optimize energy distribution in real-time, helping balance generation with demand.

Despite progress, challenges remain. Seasonal weather variability, population density, and industrial energy needs make full-scale implementation difficult. Still, China’s commitment and rapid deployment speed make it a key player in the future of clean urban energy.

The Next Milestone for Renewable Cities

Will twenty twenty-six be a tipping point for fully green urban models?

Looking ahead, the middle of the decade is shaping up to be a defining moment. Cities like NEOM, Datong, and Freiburg are expected to show measurable results in their transition to full renewable energy.

Success will depend not only on infrastructure but also on social, financial, and technological factors. Grid resilience, storage capabilities, public acceptance, and energy equity all play a role in making the green city dream a livable reality.

Global Institutions Weigh In: What Experts Are Saying

UN and IEA call for expansion, but warn of persistent gaps

A recent report from the International Energy Agency (IEA), released in spring this year, stated:

“Creating cities that run entirely on renewable energy is no longer a futuristic idea. It's an emerging reality, provided there's consistent investment, innovation, and political will.”

Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the IEA, praised large-scale experiments like NEOM, but also noted that maintaining year-round, uninterrupted energy supply is a major hurdle, particularly for cities with extreme climates or high industrial activity.

At the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), senior advisors emphasized the need to expand clean city models beyond the Global North. During the Climate Summit in Nairobi, UNEP highlighted that "developing nations must be supported through technology transfer and green financing to replicate the success stories already unfolding elsewhere."

Final Thoughts: From Pilot Projects to Scalable Realities

The road to fully renewable cities is tough, but not impossible

The idea of cities running entirely on clean energy may once have sounded like science fiction. But today, real-world pilots and national policy shifts are bringing this vision closer to reality.

Whether these models can scale up to accommodate millions of people while staying economically viable remains to be seen. However, the data, the momentum, and the global urgency are all pointing in one direction: the clean city is no longer a dream, it’s a challenge waiting to be met.