Amazon Web Services (AWS) Cloud Region – Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)
Status: Under Construction / Development Phase | Location: Riyadh Metropolitan Area, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)
Project Overview
The AWS Cloud Region in Saudi Arabia represents a foundational, multi-billion dollar investment by Amazon Web Services to establish a pivotal new Hyperscale Cloud Region in the Middle East. With an estimated Total IT Load of 520 MW across its initial deployment and expansion phases, the project is one of the largest ongoing data center build-outs globally. It is strategically crucial, aligning directly with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 to accelerate its digital economy and support the demand for data residency and digital sovereignty across the GCC countries.The region is being constructed with three physically separate Availability Zones (AZs), each containing multiple data centers.
This architecture guarantees the highest level of fault tolerance and high availability, required by the Tier-IV redundancy standards AWS adheres to. The 2N or 2N+1 UPS Redundancy ensures continuous operation for critical cloud services. The Connectivity is world-class, linking directly into the extensive, low-latency AWS Global Network Backbone.A significant technical focus is adapting to the challenging regional climate. The Cooling System will utilize proprietary AWS-designed technologies optimized for high-heat environments while maintaining efficiency (low PUE) and managing water consumption sustainably (targeting low WUE). The entire $5.3 \text{ Billion USD}$ investment is geared towards supporting general cloud services, massive enterprise IT migration, and the rapidly growing demand for AI/ML workloads, which require dense, reliable compute capacity.With construction starting in 2024 and the first AZ expected to go live in late 2026, the project is rapidly advancing. Its success is vital for transforming Riyadh into a major Tier-1 Emerging technology and financial hub, providing the core cloud infrastructure needed for the next phase of the Middle East's digital transformation.
Quick Facts
| Field | Value |
|---|
| Project Name | Amazon Web Services (AWS) Cloud Region – Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) |
| Location | Riyadh Metropolitan Area, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) |
| Status | Under Construction / Development Phase |
| Commissioning | Expected to be fully operational by late 2026/early 2027 |
| Total IT Load | 520 MW |
| Total Capacity | Three Availability Zones (AZs), each with multiple data centers. |
| Tier Level | Designed to meet the highest hyperscale standards, operating at Tier-IV level redundancy. |
| Project Type | Hyperscale Cloud Region for Public and Sovereign Cloud services. |
City Profile
| Header | Details |
|---|
| City Name | riyadh |
| Population | 7,009,100 in 2022 |
| Urban Agglomeration | 7.8 million (2022) |
| City GDP | $428.7 billion in 2023 |
| Per Capita Income | $56,000 USD |
| City Tier | Tier-1 Emerging |
| Key Strengths | overnment backing (Vision 2030), financial hub, strategic market for Data Sovereignty. |
Companies Involved
| Header | Details |
|---|
| Developer / Operator | Amazon Web Services (AWS) |
| Strategic Infrastructure Partner | N/A (AWS self-develops its core cloud regions) |
| Construction Contractor | Multiple major local and international EPCs |
| MEP Engineering | N/A |
| Network Connectivity | Connected to the AWS Global Network Backbone via redundant, high-capacity fiber. |
| Power Infrastructure | Secured capacity from the Saudi Arabian national grid, supported by extensive on-site backup. |
Technical Specifications
| Header | Details |
|---|
| Power Capacity | 500 MW |
| UPS Redundancy | Standard 2N or 2N+1 architecture across all core data centers. |
| Cooling System | AWS-designed cooling technologies optimized for the high-heat regional environment (targeting low WUE). |
| Connectivity | Ultra-low latency connections between the three physically isolated AZs. |
| PUE Target | Designed for high efficiency (regional AWS average PUE is typically $\sim 1.3$). |
| Energy Mix | Commitment to sourcing energy with plans to support Renewable Energy initiatives and PPAs. |
Milestones
| Header | Details |
|---|
| Announcement | Announced in May 2023. |
| Construction Start | Phased construction began throughout 2024. |
| Phase 1 Go-Live | First core Availability Zone expected to be commissioned in late 2026. |
| Full Buildout | 2027 and beyond. |
Investment Details
| Header | Details |
|---|
| Total Investment | $5.3 Billion USD |
| Funding | Funded directly by Amazon Web Services. |