Saudi Arabia Enters Global Data Race With 480-MW Hexagon Data Center in Riyadh
Saudi Arabia has entered the global competition for large-scale digital infrastructure with the launch of the Hexagon Data Center in Riyadh. As the world’s largest government data center, the facility carries a Tier IV rating and a total capacity of 480 MW. Moreover, the launch aligns with national efforts to diversify revenue streams beyond oil. As a result, the project positions the Kingdom as a serious contender in the international data economy.
The center aims to harness advanced technologies to strengthen key development sectors. In doing so, it reflects the belief that data now drives modern economic and social progress. At the same time, the initiative supports long-term national strategies that seek to place advanced technology at the heart of development. Consequently, the Kingdom continues to rise among leading nations adopting digital innovation for broad societal benefit.
Building digital sovereignty and economic value
Strong digital infrastructure has become a strategic priority for ensuring sovereignty over national data. Therefore, the new center plays a critical role in safeguarding sensitive information while enabling economic diversification. Notably, Saudi Arabia already ranks highly in global technology indicators, including government strategy measures related to artificial intelligence.
Although data centers first emerged in the 1950s as climate-controlled spaces for supercomputers, the sector has evolved rapidly. Later, the spread of the internet in the 1990s accelerated their importance. Subsequently, the introduction of cloud computing in 2006 pushed data centers to global strategic relevance. By 2020, nations viewed them as economic necessities, and more recently, generative artificial intelligence has intensified demand for massive processing power.
As a result, digital flows have redefined economic wealth. Instead of relying solely on finite natural resources, nations now compete through data capacity and computing strength. Since 2019, coordinated national efforts have guided data and AI development. Consequently, the Kingdom has emerged as a regional digital hub and a significant player in the global digital economy.
Sustainability, standards, and future expansion
The Hexagon Data Center serves as the foundation for a future nationwide network designed to meet rising demand for digital services. Accordingly, planners focused on maximum system availability and global benchmarking standards. The facility complies with LEED Gold requirements, blending technical excellence with environmental responsibility.
In addition, the center incorporates advanced energy-efficiency solutions, including direct liquid cooling and hybrid cooling systems. These technologies minimize power usage effectiveness while maintaining operational stability. Furthermore, renewable energy sources support operations, reinforcing the center’s status as one of the world’s largest green data facilities.
The project has earned international recognition through compliance with leading engineering and reliability standards. Its architecture relies on dual, independent systems that ensure continuous operation under demanding conditions. As a result, the facility achieves fault tolerance and an availability rate of 99.995 percent. Moreover, additional certifications confirm strong protection against technical and environmental risks. Together, these features secure a stable, sustainable environment for critical digital services and reinforce the Kingdom’s position in the global data landscape.
