Saudi Arabia Launches Hexagon Data Center, Touted as World’s Largest Government Facility

Saudi Arabia has entered the global race for large-scale digital infrastructure with the launch of the Hexagon Data Center in Riyadh, described by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) as the world’s largest government data center. Classified as Tier IV, the facility is designed to support the kingdom’s development sectors through advanced digital technologies and high-capacity data management.

The Hexagon Data Center aligns with the Saudi Data and AI Authority’s (SDAIA) national strategy and the broader objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. Officials said the development of large-scale data infrastructure is a strategic priority to safeguard technical sovereignty over data while boosting non-oil revenue streams. SPA noted that Saudi Arabia currently ranks first globally on several indicators, including government strategy in the Global AI Index.

Data centers have evolved from climate-controlled facilities housing early supercomputers in the 1950s to global hubs of economic and strategic importance. The expansion of the internet in the 1990s and the introduction of cloud computing in 2006 further increased their relevance. By 2020, governments worldwide recognized data centers as essential infrastructure, a trend amplified by the growth of artificial intelligence, particularly generative AI, which requires massive processing power.

Since its establishment in 2019, SDAIA has led the Kingdom’s national data and AI agenda, serving as the official authority for regulation, development, and use of data and artificial intelligence. The authority has developed a robust legislative and regulatory framework, including the Personal Data Protection Law, standards for generative AI, and an AI Adoption Framework. These measures aim to strengthen trust in Saudi Arabia’s digital ecosystem and support sustainable development.

The Hexagon Data Center covers more than 30 million square feet and has a power capacity of 480 megawatts. It meets US Green Building Council LEED Gold standards and integrates advanced energy-efficient and smart cooling systems, including direct liquid cooling and hybrid technologies, as well as renewable energy sources. The facility has received Tier IV certification, the highest global benchmark for data center reliability, guaranteeing 99.995 percent operational availability. It has also earned ISO IEC 22237 certification, which addresses infrastructure resilience and protection against technical and environmental risks.

SDAIA plans to use Hexagon as the foundation for a nationwide network of data centers to meet growing national demand. The authority estimates that this strategy will generate a cumulative local economic impact exceeding SAR10 billion ($2.67 billion), deliver annual savings of more than SAR1.8 billion, and support non-oil economic growth. Officials also emphasized the role of the project in improving digital government services for citizens and residents.

With Hexagon, Saudi Arabia has positioned itself as a key player in the global digital economy and the Middle East’s leading destination for international technology companies, reflecting the country’s growing ambition in artificial intelligence and data infrastructure.