Kazakhstan's 1GW Data Center Valley to Begin Operations by June 2027

Kazakhstan is on track to launch the first phase of its flagship "Data Center Valley" project in Pavlodar Region by June 2027, as the government accelerates efforts to build a digital economy and position the country as a regional technology hub. The announcement came during a government meeting chaired by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov on August 13, where officials reviewed the project's construction progress.

The Data Center Valley, located near the city of Ekibastuz, is one of the largest digital infrastructure initiatives in Central Asia. Construction of the first phase, with an initial power capacity of 50 megawatts, is progressing rapidly. Excavation work for the energy center and the artificial intelligence factory has reached 90 percent completion, while foundation work for the energy center has already begun. Administrative and residential buildings are also being built in parallel, according to the latest updates.

Under the current schedule, the main structures—including the data center, power modules, administrative and residential complex, checkpoints, and part of the external utility networks—are expected to be completed by the end of December 2026. Commissioning and testing are slated for May 2027, with the first phase officially entering service in June 2027.

To secure reliable power supply for the project, a 215-megawatt substation has already been procured. Water supply network designs have been finalized, and telecommunications infrastructure plans are currently being developed. An online video surveillance system has been activated at the construction site to enable round-the-clock monitoring. In the long term, the energy capacity of the Data Center Valley will be expanded in stages, with total capacity expected to reach 1 gigawatt.

The project is designed to host data centers, AI factories, GPU clusters, and cloud platforms for international hyperscale cloud service providers. Once operational, it is expected to create a new export-oriented sector in Kazakhstan's digital economy and provide the IT infrastructure needed to develop homegrown AI solutions. "The Data Center Valley will form new export potential for Kazakhstan. By deploying computing power domestically, we will create conditions for developing local AI solutions, attracting global companies, and advancing Kazakhstan's entry into the international digital services market," said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry Zhaslan Madiyev.

The project, which broke ground in early June, is widely seen as a cornerstone of Kazakhstan's ambition to become a regional digital hub. Industry analysts note that the development reflects a broader trend across Central Asia, where governments are investing heavily in digital infrastructure to attract foreign technology investment and diversify economies beyond traditional sectors. The successful completion of the first phase could pave the way for further international partnerships and position Kazakhstan as a competitive player in the global data center market.