The Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ) has partnered with VOLT UAE, a regional platform of Dutch developer VOLT, to develop an AI-ready data center in Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO), enhancing Dubai’s role as a global digital economy hub.
The agreement was made in the presence of senior officials, including 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 of the Gulf Cluster at Schneider Electric.
Key features of DIEZ-VOLT UAE data center
The new facility will feature high-performance infrastructure, engineered for resilience, uninterrupted operations, and long-term security. It is designed with reinforced architecture, redundant systems, and hardened infrastructure to ensure continuous availability, even in the most demanding environments.
The center will support advanced computing and artificial intelligence applications, bolstering the UAE’s growing digital ecosystem and setting a new standard for robust, mission-critical infrastructure.
Schneider Electric will collaborate with DIEZ and VOLT UAE to provide advanced electrical systems and smart data center infrastructure. This partnership aims to enhance efficiency, reliability, and sustainability in line with Dubai’s strategic focus on digital transformation.
The project will be developed in two phases within the integrated ecosystem of Dubai Silicon Oasis, covering up to 60,000 square meters. The first phase will offer 29 MW of capacity, followed by an additional 100 MW of power capacity in the second phase.
Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni Executive Chairman – DIEZ
“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. It also reflects the value of leveraging specialized expertise in the development and operation of data centers. This step underscores the confidence of global investors in Dubai’s advanced business environment, supported by world-class digital infrastructure and agile economic policies. At DIEZ, we continue to develop an integrated economic ecosystem that fosters innovation and enhances Dubai’s competitiveness as a leading digital economy hub, in line with the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33). The data center project aligns with DSO’s expansion plans, particularly the $2.99 billion (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.”
Han de Groot, CEO of VOLT, described the partnership as a milestone in VOLT’s international expansion, noting that Dubai offers world-class infrastructure, positioning it as a natural hub for AI-driven growth. “We are addressing the growing demand for AI compute platforms, enabling nations and organizations to develop, train, and deploy AI securely at scale. This facility will serve as more than just a data center, it is designed as a potential AI factory, transforming energy into intelligence and supporting digital workloads across the region”, De Groot added.
Future-ready digital infrastructure
The project demonstrates Dubai’s commitment to fostering advanced digital infrastructure capable of supporting AI applications. Under the agreement, DIEZ will provide land and core infrastructure, while VOLT UAE will handle the development, financing, construction, and operations of the data center. Schneider Electric will supply the necessary electrical systems and smart infrastructure to ensure the center operates efficiently and sustainably.
Image credits: Dubai Media Office | Cropped by GBN
Setting new benchmark for AI infrastructure
Amel Chadli, President of the Gulf Cluster at Schneider Electric, highlighted that, “This AI-ready data center is a cornerstone for the UAE’s ambition to lead the global AI economy. At Schneider Electric, we are proud to support this vision with our comprehensive end-to-end infrastructure solutions, from grid to chip, enabling faster, more sustainable, and efficient AI deployments.”
With the UAE’s rapid digital evolution, this partnership signals a major leap toward enhancing the country’s AI capabilities and reinforcing its position as a leader in the global digital economy.
