The Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ) has announced a joint venture with VOLT UAE to develop a major new AI-ready data center in Dubai. VOLT UAE is the regional arm of the Dutch data center and AI factory developer, VOLT. The new facility will be located within Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO), DIEZ’s economic zone focused on technology and innovation.
Quick Facts
- JV between DIEZ and Dutch developer VOLT.
- Located in Dubai Silicon Oasis.
- Total planned capacity of 129 MW.
A Phased Rollout for a High-Capacity Facility
The project is set to be a significant addition to Dubai’s digital infrastructure, spanning an area of up to 60,000 square meters.
The development will be implemented in two distinct phases. The first phase will bring 29 megawatts (MW) of readily available capacity online. This will be followed by a second phase that adds another 100 MW of committed power capacity, bringing the campus’s total potential to 129 MW.
The facility is being designed with high-performance infrastructure to support advanced computing and artificial intelligence applications, ensuring resilience and uninterrupted operations.
A Strategic Partnership Structure
Under the agreement, the responsibilities are clearly defined. DIEZ will provide the land and core infrastructure for the project. In turn, VOLT UAE will take the lead on developing, financing, and constructing the data center facilities. VOLT will also manage the design, leasing, execution, and ongoing operations.
The joint venture is also collaborating with Schneider Electric, which has its regional headquarters in Dubai Silicon Oasis. Schneider Electric will supply advanced electrical systems, power distribution solutions, and smart data center infrastructure to improve the facility’s efficiency and sustainability.
Bolstering Dubai’s Digital Economy Agenda
The project aligns with Dubai’s strategic vision to cement its status as a global hub for the digital economy and supports DSO’s own expansion plans.
Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni, Executive Chairman of DIEZ, said, “This strategic partnership comes at a pivotal time amid rapid global shifts, reaffirming the resilience of Dubai’s economic model and its strong investment appeal in future-focused sectors. This step underscores the confidence of global investors in Dubai’s advanced business environment, supported by world-class digital infrastructure and agile economic policies.”
He added, “The data centre project aligns with DSO’s expansion plans, particularly the AED11 billion ‘District IO’ project… which will grant the project the right infrastructure that supports the development of future technologies, strengthens research and development, and innovation in Dubai.”
A Potential AI Factory for the Region
For VOLT, the partnership marks a key step in its international expansion, leveraging Dubai’s established infrastructure.
“This project is therefore more than a data centre: it is designed as a potential AI factory, a facility where energy is transformed into intelligence, supporting advanced AI applications and digital workloads for the region,” stated Han de Groot, CEO of VOLT.
He noted, “We are seeing an unprecedented acceleration in artificial intelligence, with the compute aspect becoming a critical production factor for economies. VOLT addresses this with a full-stack AI compute platform designed to support sovereign AI capabilities, enabling nations and organisations to develop, train, and deploy AI securely, and at scale.”
About Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ)
The Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ) is a government body responsible for overseeing and developing several specialized economic zones in Dubai, including Dubai Silicon Oasis. It aims to attract strategic investments in future-focused sectors and strengthen Dubai’s position as a global hub for business, technology, and innovation.
Source: Zawya
