Construction has officially begun on a new NEOM AI data center facility located in Oxagon, marking the start of a large-scale computational infrastructure project in Saudi Arabia. The project is being developed through an expanded partnership between digital infrastructure firm DataVolt and HUMAIN, a company owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF).
According to reporting by telecompaper.com, the development will eventually scale to a total capacity of 360 megawatts (MW). The project brings together HUMAIN’s full-stack artificial intelligence capabilities with DataVolt’s background in financing, building, and managing critical digital facilities.
Development of the NEOM AI data center
The initial phase of the development focuses on delivering 100 MW of power capacity dedicated to high-density computing workloads. Crews have started active construction on site, with the primary phase scheduled to become fully operational by 2028. This initial block represents roughly 28 percent of the total planned energy output across the entire computing campus.
The facility was formally presented during the LEAP26 technology conference in Riyadh. As computational demands rise, specialized facilities must accommodate advanced hardware configurations, high-voltage electrical distribution systems, and specialized cooling setups designed specifically for machine learning models.
Initial Capacity and Operational Timeline
Under the operational roadmap, the site will progressively expand from its initial 100 MW stage to reach its complete 360 MW rating. The buildout reflects growing domestic investments in the Kingdom’s digital economy and enterprise technology infrastructure.
Furthermore, DataVolt is directing engineering resources to deliver the required operational resilience. The project ensures that local developers, enterprises, and institutions gain direct access to domestic computational capacity rather than relying solely on overseas server infrastructure.
Infrastructure Demands for Advanced Workloads
Operating facilities of this scale requires dedicated utility planning, especially regarding electricity delivery and cooling circuits. NEOM representatives stated that advanced computing workloads depend directly on three foundational elements: power availability, physical infrastructure, and high-speed network connectivity.
Consequently, the Oxagon site incorporates scalable energy supply lines and water systems engineered to sustain sustained processing operations. Modern high-density server racks generate significant thermal output, necessitating modern industrial cooling approaches that maintain efficient power usage effectiveness ratios across all server halls.
Strategic Alignment with Digital Initiatives
The establishment of the NEOM AI data center supports Saudi Arabia’s broader strategic framework for technological transformation. By building dedicated facilities locally, the Kingdom seeks to strengthen its position as a regional hub for data processing and computational research.
Meanwhile, commercial telecommunications networks and secure cybersecurity architectures will integrate directly into the complex as construction advances toward the 2028 completion target. This coordinated deployment establishes an operational base capable of servicing commercial, governmental, and scientific compute workloads across the region.
