Uzbekistan announces Saudi-funded data centre builds
07 May 2024
In an effort to strengthen its IT (information technology) sector, Uzbekistan will build two ‘green’ data centres in its capital, Tashkent, and another in the Bukhara region, including one build in the ‘New Tashkent’ area – a novel urban district that is planned to accommodate 500,000 people and span 200km2.
A render of a DATAVOLT data centre in Uzbekistan. (Image: DATAVOLT)
Part of the country’s ‘Uzbekistan – 2030’ strategy, the construction is a collaboration with Saudi Arabia-based DATAVOLT, a technology company that specialises in developing and operating data centres.
The scheme is planned across three phases, with the first featuring a 10MW capacity.
The first phase of the build is expected to cost US$150 million, with DATAVOLT planning to allocate up to $5 billion in Uzbekistan-based projects by 2030.
The second phase will include construction of a 250MW facility in New Tashkent.
The third phase seeks to expand the capacity up to 250MW in Bukhara, located about 600km southwest of Tashkent.
Mr Sherzod Shermatov, Uzbekistan’s minister of digital technologies, said, “This collaboration offers great investment prospects for Saudi companies and will help attract international technology firms to Uzbekistan, enhancing our strategic position and business climate.”
