Net Zero Ready MEP Strategies for Tourism Infrastructure in Saudi Arabia: Advancing Sustainable Regional Development under Vision 2030

Abstract

Saudi Arabia's tourism expansion is creating a new class of hotels, resorts, cultural destinations, transport interfaces and mixed-use visitor districts whose mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems will determine long-term energy demand, water security, operational resilience and carbon exposure. This review develops a context-specific framework for making such infrastructure net-zero ready under Vision 2030. A structured integrative review of literature and official evidence published from 2020 to 2025 was undertaken across building performance, district energy, renewable integration, microgrids, water efficiency, digital engineering and reliability-centred operations. The synthesis distinguishes net-zero readiness from an immediate claim of net-zero operation: readiness is defined as the technical and institutional capacity to reduce demand, electrify end uses, connect to low-carbon energy, flex loads, verify performance and avoid carbon lock-in throughout the asset life cycle. Evidence indicates that cooling-led load reduction, high-efficiency chillers, low-temperature networks, thermal storage, solar generation, intelligent controls and robust commissioning should be designed as one system rather than procured as isolated packages. For tourism assets, the framework also requires occupancy-responsive operation, peak-season resilience, water-energy coordination and service continuity during extreme heat or visitor surges. Digital twins and building information models can strengthen option appraisal and operational feedback, but their value depends on interoperable data, competent teams and contractual access to measured performance. The paper proposes a six-layer strategy, a staged delivery roadmap and an indicator set linking carbon, energy, water, reliability and regional value. It concludes that net-zero-ready MEP infrastructure can advance sustainable regional development when performance requirements are embedded in master planning, procurement, commissioning and long-term facilities management, rather than added after architectural design has been fixed.