Equinix DX3 Dubai: 15MW MENA Hyperscale Interconnection Hub
Status: Operational | Location: Dubai Production City (IMPZ), Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Project Overview
The Equinix DX3 Data Center is the largest International Business Exchange (IBX) facility operated by Equinix in the Middle East, strategically located in Dubai Production City, United Arab Emirates. Spanning approximately 135,000 square feet (12,000 square meters), the facility accommodates up to 1,800 high-density cabinets across two development phases, making it a major digital interconnection hub for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Developed with an investment exceeding USD 100 million, DX3 is purpose-built to support enterprise digital transformation, hyperscale cloud platforms, financial services, content providers, and next-generation artificial intelligence workloads. The facility delivers secure, resilient, and scalable infrastructure while providing customers with direct access to Equinix's global digital ecosystem. Through Equinix Fabric, DX3 enables ultra-low latency connectivity to leading global cloud providers, local network operators, internet exchanges, and business partners. Its strategic location also provides seamless access to regional subsea cable landing stations and the UAE Internet Exchange (UAE IX), ensuring fast and reliable connectivity across the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Sustainability is a key focus of the facility, with operations supported by 100% renewable energy coverage to help customers reduce their environmental impact and meet sustainability objectives. Combined with advanced security, resilient power infrastructure, extensive carrier connectivity, and a strategic geographic location, Equinix DX3 serves as a critical gateway for multinational enterprises, cloud providers, AI innovators, and digital businesses expanding across the rapidly growing MENA digital economy.
Quick Facts
| Field | Value |
|---|
| Project Name | Equinix DX3 Dubai: 15MW MENA Hyperscale Interconnection Hub |
| Location | Dubai Production City (IMPZ), Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
| Status | Operational |
| Commissioning | November 2023 (Phase 1 Live) / Phase 2 Operational |
| Total IT Load | 12.0 MW |
| Total Capacity | 15.0 MW (135,000 sq ft / 12,000 m² footprint housing 1,800 cabinets across 2 phases) |
| Tier Level | Tier III Equivalent / ISO 27001, ISO 14001 & PCI DSS Certified |
| Project Type | Greenfield Interconnection, Cloud & Enterprise IBX Colocation Campus |
City Profile
| Header | Details |
|---|
| City Name | Dubai |
| Population | ~3.7 million |
| Urban Agglomeration | ~4.9 million (Dubai–Sharjah–Ajman metro region) |
| City GDP | ~USD 115 billion |
| Per Capita Income | ~USD 32,000 |
| City Tier | Tier 1 / Global Alpha City |
| Key Strengths | Global financial hub, logistics & trade gateway, world-class data centers, smart city leadership, AI & cloud adoption, strong regulatory environment, tourism & real estate powerhouse |
Companies Involved
| Header | Details |
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| Developer / Operator | Equinix |
| Strategic Infrastructure Partner | du (Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company) & Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) |
| Construction Contractor | Leading Middle Eastern Mission-Critical EPC Contracting Partners |
| MEP Engineering | Equinix Global Technical Engineering Division |
| Network Connectivity | Direct access to Equinix Fabric®, UAE Internet Exchange (UAE-IX), subsea cable backbones, and 50+ network service providers. |
| Power Infrastructure | Dual 11 kV high-voltage ring transmission feeds from the DEWA utility grid, backed by N+1 UPS systems and standby generators. |
Technical Specifications
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| Power Capacity | 15.0 MW gross facility capacity / 12.0 MW critical IT load |
| UPS Redundancy | N+1 power distribution architecture backed by containerized standby diesel generator arrays with on-site bulk fuel reserves. |
| Cooling System | High-efficiency chilled water and air-cooled cooling systems with cold-aisle containment engineered for optimal energy management. |
| Connectivity | Carrier-neutral facility with dual subterranean fiber entry vaults, dual Meet-Me-Rooms, and direct cloud exchange interconnects. |
| PUE Target | 1.25–1.30 |
| Energy Mix | Covered by 100% renewable energy matching contracts. |
Milestones
| Header | Details |
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| Announcement | May 2023 |
| Construction Start | 2022 |
| Phase 1 Go-Live | November 2023 (900 cabinets live) |
| Full Buildout | Operational (Phase 2 buildout completing 1,800 cabinets) |
Investment Details
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| Total Investment | $100,000,000+ USD ($60M Phase 1 + $40M Phase 2 expansion) |
| Funding | Direct corporate capital expenditure via Equinix, Inc. balance sheet reserves |