Saudi Arabia Hexagon Data Center Propels The Kingdom Into The Global Data Economy With 480 MW Capacity

Saudi Arabia is stepping up global competition in digital infrastructure with the Hexagon Data Center in Riyadh, described as the world’s largest government data center and certified Tier IV. The facility supports Saudi Vision 2030 by giving government entities powerful computing capacity. It aims to strengthen national control over data, improve essential services, and help diversify income beyond oil through advanced digital capabilities.

The Hexagon Data Center, built on more than 30 million square feet, has an electrical capacity of 480 MW. It uses direct liquid cooling and hybrid cooling systems to lower power usage. The design integrates renewable energy and meets LEED Gold standards from the U.S. Green Building Council, placing strong focus on energy efficiency and sustainable construction for major government workloads.

The Hexagon Data Center is classified as Tier IV, the top international level for reliability, guaranteeing 99.995% availability. It follows the global TIA-942 engineering standard, which requires dual and independent routes for critical systems. This design supports stable performance even in severe operating conditions. The center has also obtained ISO/IEC 22237, which addresses infrastructure availability and protection from environmental and technical risks.

To highlight its main features, the Hexagon Data Center combines capacity, sustainability, and resilience in one integrated complex, as shown below.{TABLE_1}

The Hexagon Data Center serves as the starting point for a wider national network of similar facilities planned by the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA). This expansion aims to meet rising demand for secure national digital infrastructure. SDAIA’s plan focuses on very high system availability, alignment with global benchmarks, and readiness for future technologies that need large-scale computing and storage resources.

SDAIA’s strategy expects Saudi data centers, including the Hexagon Data Center, to create a cumulative local economic impact above SAR10 billion. Annual financial savings are projected to exceed SAR1.8 billion. These facilities should support the non-oil economy and help raise the digital maturity of government applications, improving services offered to citizens and residents throughout Saudi Arabia.

The Hexagon Data Center reflects the vision of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Chairman of SDAIA's Board of Directors, for Saudi Arabia to be a global centre for advanced technologies. Strong digital infrastructure is viewed as essential to secure technical sovereignty over data and protect strategic government information.

Hexagon Data Center within Saudi Arabia’s data and AI agenda

Since 2019, SDAIA has led Saudi Arabia’s data and AI agenda as the official authority responsible for data, big data, and AI. SDAIA acts as the national reference for regulation, development, and use of these assets. In six years, Saudi Arabia has become a prominent player in the global digital economy and a leading destination in the Middle East for major international technology companies.

SDAIA has implemented national initiatives that raised Saudi Arabia’s standing on international indicators for advanced technologies. The Kingdom ranks first globally in the Global AI Index’s government strategy indicator. SDAIA has also created an integrated national data ecosystem, considered one of the most advanced in the region, and has launched digital products that deliver economic and social value across different sectors in Saudi Arabia.

Hexagon Data Center and digital governance framework

SDAIA’s role extends beyond building systems such as the Hexagon Data Center to designing the legal and regulatory framework for data and AI in Saudi Arabia. Key measures include the Personal Data Protection Law and its implementing regulations, which define strict requirements for processing personal information and protecting privacy. SDAIA has also issued principles and standards for generative AI and launched the AI Adoption Framework.

These governance steps further include Rules Governing the National Register of Controllers within the Kingdom and the use of global best practices for data security. Together, they support sustainable development and improve confidence in the national digital ecosystem. This framework underpins secure operation of facilities like the Hexagon Data Center and helps ensure long-term continuity of government digital services.

Hexagon Data Center and global evolution of data centers

Data centers first appeared in the 1950s as large, climate-controlled rooms built to house supercomputers and protect delicate equipment. Their importance grew sharply after the internet expanded in the late 1990s, and they gained strategic weight when cloud computing services emerged in 2006. By 2020, data centers had become central to economic policy for many countries.

The spread of generative artificial intelligence has increased demand for processing power that only advanced data centers can deliver. This shift has changed the idea of national wealth, which now includes digital flows as well as natural resources. Facilities like the Hexagon Data Center position Saudi Arabia to respond to these needs by offering secure, large-scale capacity for data-driven development.

With inputs from SPA