Saudi Arabia Inaugurates 480MW Hexagon Data Center, a Cornerstone of Vision 2030
January 5, 2026
Saudi Arabia has formally entered the global competition for large-scale digital infrastructure with the inauguration of the Hexagon Data Center in Riyadh. The launch marks a pivotal step in the kingdom's strategy to secure technical sovereignty over data and diversify its economy beyond oil, positioning itself as a leader in the Middle East's burgeoning digital economy.
The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported that the facility, described as the world's largest government data center, is a Tier IV-certified project developed under the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA). It is designed to be the foundational node for a planned nationwide network of data centers, supporting the kingdom's development sectors through advanced digital technologies. The project is a direct implementation of the national Saudi Vision 2030 blueprint for economic transformation.
The Hexagon Data Center boasts a substantial capacity of 480 megawatts and spans over 30 million square feet. It has achieved the highest global benchmarks for reliability, including Tier IV certification, which ensures 99.995% operational availability, and accreditations under the TIA-942 and ISO/IEC 22237 standards. The facility also emphasizes sustainability, meeting LEED Gold standards by incorporating advanced energy-efficient cooling technologies and renewable energy sources, positioning it among the world's largest green data centers.
SPA stated that the development of such digital infrastructure is viewed by the kingdom as a strategic necessity. SDAIA estimates that the national data center strategy will generate a cumulative local economic impact exceeding 10 billion Saudi Riyals ($2.67 billion) and yield annual savings of over 1.8 billion Riyals. These investments are intended to strengthen trust in the digital ecosystem through a comprehensive regulatory framework—encompassing data protection and AI governance—while improving digital government services and supporting non-oil economic growth.
The kingdom's aggressive push into data infrastructure comes amid a global surge in demand, further amplified by the processing needs of generative artificial intelligence. Since SDAIA's establishment in 2019, Saudi Arabia has rapidly emerged as a key destination for international technology firms in the region, leveraging projects like the Hexagon Data Center to solidify its role in the global digital landscape.
Source: gulfbusiness
