ICS Arabia, a leader in data center operations in Saudi Arabia, has announced the start of construction on the Desert Dragon Data Centers, aiming for a capacity of 187 megawatts (MW). This project unfolds from a collaborative effort with the Shanghai-based Lumaotong Group (LMT) and involves a significant partnership following a tri-party Memorandum of Agreement with China Mobile International (CMI) signed on September 11, 2023.
The planned data centers, varying from Tier III to Tier IV, are strategically located in MODON with rack capacities ranging from 2 kW to 100 kW, incorporating both conventional and immersive cooling technologies. These facilities aim to cater to a global clientele, providing advanced services ranging from cloud hosting to artificial intelligence applications.
The ambitious multi-phase project begins with a 65 MW Tier III data center in Riyadh, scheduled to be operational by March 2026. This will be followed by a 50 MW facility in Jeddah set to begin construction in February 2025 and become operational by late 2026. The third phase includes a 72 MW facility starting in September 2025 in Dammam and NEOM. The total investment for these developments is projected at $1.90 billion over three years, with CMI co-designing, constructing, and operating these state-of-the-art, environmentally conscious data centers.
General Abdullah A. AlMazny (Retd.), Managing Director of ICS Arabia, emphasized the project’s alignment with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, enhancing the Kingdom’s standing as a tech hub in the region. The data centers will support various sectors including the digital economy, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and big data.
Ms. Bonnie Chen, Managing Director of CMI Saudi Arabia, remarked on the project’s capacity to boost international connectivity and expand CMI’s global presence, strengthening digital links across the Middle East.
Mr. Zhan Lujin, Chairman of the LMT Group, highlighted LMT’s commitment to introduce emerging sectors to Saudi Arabia, supporting the Belt and Road Initiative and enhancing the region’s digital infrastructure. The Desert Dragon Data Centers are set to fulfill the burgeoning data service demands of these new industries, facilitating extensive digital cooperation in the region.
