The foundation stone was laid in Riyadh Thursday for the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) “Hexagon” Data Center, the world’s largest government data center by megawatt capacity.
Classified as Tier IV and holding the highest data center rating by the global Uptime Institute, the facility will have a total capacity of 480 megawatts and will be built on an area exceeding 30 million square feet in the Saudi capital.
Designed to the highest international standards, the center will provide maximum availability, security, and operational readiness for government data centers. It will meet the growing needs of government entities and support the increasing reliance on electronic services.
The project will contribute to strengthening the national economy and reinforce the Kingdom’s position as a key player in the future of the global digital economy.
A ceremony was held on the occasion, attended by senior officials from various government entities. They were received at the venue by President of SDAIA Dr. Abdullah bin Sharaf Alghamdi and SDAIA officials.
Director of the National Information Center at SDAIA Dr. Issam bin Abdullah Alwagait outlined the project’s details, technical and engineering specifications, and the operational architecture ensuring the highest levels of readiness and availability.
He also reviewed the international accreditations obtained for the center’s solutions and engineering design in line with recognized global standards.
In a press statement, SDAIA President Dr. Abdullah bin Sharaf Alghamdi said the landmark national project comes as part of the continued support of Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, Prime Minister and Chairman of SDAIA’s Board of Directors.
This support enables the authority, as the Kingdom’s competent body for data, including big data, and artificial intelligence and the national reference for their regulation, development, and use, to contribute to advancing the Kingdom toward leadership among data- and AI-driven economies, he noted.
The Kingdom will continue to strengthen its presence in advanced technologies with the ongoing support of the Crown Prince, he stressed.
SDAIA will pursue pioneering projects that reflect its ambitious path toward building an integrated digital ecosystem, strengthening national enablers in data and artificial intelligence, and developing world-class technical infrastructure that boosts the competitiveness of the national economy and attracts investment. This aligns with Saudi Vision 2030’s objectives of building a sustainable knowledge-based economy and achieving global leadership in advanced technologies.
