Saudi Arabia has made a major entry into the global race for large-scale digital infrastructure with the launch of the Hexagon Data Center in Riyadh, a project positioned as the world’s largest government-owned data center and a cornerstone of the Kingdom’s long-term data and artificial intelligence ambitions.
With a power capacity of 480 megawatts and a built-up area exceeding 30 million square feet, the Hexagon Data Center is classified as Tier IV, the highest international standard for data center reliability. The facility is designed to provide continuous, fault-tolerant operations with an availability level of 99.995%, placing it among a small group of the most resilient data centers globally.
The project is led by the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) and aligns closely with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify the Kingdom’s economy, strengthen digital sovereignty and position Saudi Arabia as a global hub for advanced technologies. Officials say the Hexagon facility is not simply an infrastructure project, but a strategic investment in the foundations of a data-driven economy.
As data increasingly becomes the engine of economic and social development, countries are competing to build the capacity needed to store, process and protect massive volumes of information. Advanced data centers now underpin everything from cloud services and digital government platforms to artificial intelligence systems that require enormous computing power. In this context, the launch of the Hexagon Data Center signals Saudi Arabia’s intention to compete at the highest level of the global digital economy.
The initiative reflects the vision of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia and Chairman of SDAIA’s Board of Directors, to transform the Kingdom into a leader in data- and AI-driven development. Establishing robust, sovereign digital infrastructure is seen as essential not only for national security and data control, but also for creating new sources of non-oil revenue and attracting global technology players.
Saudi Arabia has already made notable progress in this direction. The Kingdom ranks among global leaders on several technology indicators, including first place in government strategy within the Global AI Index. Since its establishment in 2019, SDAIA has acted as the national authority responsible for data, big data and artificial intelligence, overseeing regulation, development and use across both public and private sectors.
In just six years, SDAIA has helped Saudi Arabia emerge as a major digital economy in the Middle East and a growing destination for international technology companies. Its work has focused on building an integrated national data ecosystem, delivering digital products and services that support government operations while generating measurable economic and social benefits.
The rapid rise of data centers globally provides important context for the Hexagon project. Data centers first emerged in the 1950s as controlled environments for early supercomputers. Their role expanded with the growth of the internet in the late 1990s and became strategically critical after cloud computing services began scaling in 2006. By 2020, data centers were widely viewed as national economic infrastructure. The recent surge in generative AI has further intensified demand, as these systems require high-density computing environments available only in advanced facilities.
Beyond scale, the Hexagon Data Center has been designed to meet stringent sustainability and efficiency standards. The facility complies with the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Gold certification, reflecting a focus on energy efficiency and environmentally responsible design. It incorporates advanced cooling technologies, including direct liquid cooling and hybrid cooling systems, aimed at achieving low power usage effectiveness. Renewable energy sources are also integrated to reduce environmental impact, supporting its classification as one of the world’s largest green data centers.
From a technical standpoint, the center has secured multiple international accreditations. It meets the TIA-942 standard, one of the most widely recognised global benchmarks for data center design and engineering. This standard is based on dual and independent power and cooling paths, ensuring operational continuity even under extreme conditions. In addition to its Tier IV certification, the facility has achieved ISO/IEC 22237 certification, which focuses on infrastructure availability and protection against technical and environmental risks.
SDAIA has also prioritised governance alongside infrastructure development. The authority has established a comprehensive legislative and regulatory framework to support responsible data and AI use. This includes the Personal Data Protection Law and its implementing regulations, principles and standards for generative AI, the AI Adoption Framework, and rules governing the National Register of Controllers. These measures are intended to safeguard privacy, strengthen data protection and build trust in Saudi Arabia’s digital ecosystem.
The Hexagon Data Center is intended to serve as the foundation for a broader national network of data centers. Under SDAIA’s expansion strategy, additional facilities are planned across the Kingdom to accommodate rising demand for digital services and ensure high system availability in line with global best practices.
According to SDAIA, the Kingdom’s data center strategy is expected to generate a cumulative local economic impact exceeding SAR 10 billion, alongside annual financial savings of more than SAR 1.8 billion. Officials say the investment will support economic diversification while improving the quality, speed and reliability of digital government services for citizens and residents.
