Dubai: The Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ) has announced a joint venture with VOLT UAE, the regional platform established by Dutch data centre and AI factory developer VOLT, to develop an advanced, AI‑ready data centre in Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO). The initiative supports DIEZ’s strategy to advance the digital economy and attract high‑quality investments in future‑focused sectors, further strengthening Dubai’s position as a global digital hub.
The announcement was made in the presence of His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni, Executive Chairman of DIEZ; Han de Groot, CEO of VOLT; Koenraad Crooijmans, Head of Capital Markets at VOLT; and Amel Chadli, President, Gulf Cluster at Schneider Electric.
The facility will feature high‑performance infrastructure engineered for exceptional resilience, uninterrupted operations, and long‑term security under all conditions. Designed with reinforced architecture, redundant systems, and hardened infrastructure, the data centre will ensure continuous availability in demanding environments. It will support advanced computing and artificial intelligence applications, setting a new benchmark for robustness and reliability in critical digital infrastructure.
As part of the project, DIEZ and VOLT UAE will collaborate with Schneider Electric, headquartered in Dubai Silicon Oasis, to deliver advanced electrical systems, power distribution, and smart data centre infrastructure to enhance efficiency, reliability, and sustainability. The agreement was signed during an official ceremony at DIEZ headquarters attended by senior representatives from all parties.
The strategic partnership aligns with DIEZ’s ongoing efforts to enhance digital infrastructure readiness and attract strategic investments across its economic zones. It also reflects Dubai’s broader vision to consolidate its position as a leading global digital economy hub. The project will be developed within the integrated ecosystem of Dubai Silicon Oasis to support the growth of the data centre sector and meet rising demand for advanced computing solutions.
Spanning up to 60,000 square metres, the development will be implemented in two phases, with 29 MW of capacity readily available in Phase 1, followed by an additional 100 MW of committed power, bringing total capacity to up to 129 MW.
His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni said the partnership comes at a pivotal time amid rapid global changes, reaffirming the resilience of Dubai’s economic model and its strong appeal for investment in future‑focused sectors. He noted that the initiative reflects confidence in Dubai’s advanced business environment, world‑class digital infrastructure, and agile economic policies.
He added that the project aligns with the vision of the UAE leadership to strengthen the country’s global economic position and supports the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33). He further noted that the data centre project complements Dubai Silicon Oasis expansion plans, particularly the AED 11 billion District IO project, which supports future technologies, research and development, and innovation.
Han de Groot described the partnership as a significant milestone in VOLT’s international expansion, highlighting Dubai’s world‑class infrastructure and its role as a natural hub for AI‑driven growth. He said the project is designed not only as a data centre but as a potential AI factory, supporting advanced AI applications and digital workloads for the region while delivering exceptional resilience and ultra‑secure operations.
Amel Chadli said the project represents a defining moment for the UAE’s digital future, noting Schneider Electric’s role in delivering end‑to‑end infrastructure solutions for AI‑ready data centres, from power systems and cooling to monitoring and management software.
Under the agreement, DIEZ will provide land and core infrastructure, while VOLT UAE will develop, finance, and lead construction of the data centre facilities, overseeing design, execution, leasing, and operations in line with agreed requirements.