Khazna AUH1 Abu Dhabi Data Center: Hyperscale Colocation Hub in UAE
Status: Fully Operational Hyperscale Facility | Location: MBZ City, near Mazyad Mall, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Project Overview
Khazna AUH1 is a foundational hyperscale data center facility strategically located in Mohammed Bin Zayed City, Abu Dhabi, serving as one of the earliest flagship developments within Khazna Data Centers' expanding digital infrastructure portfolio. Purpose-built to support the UAE's rapidly growing demand for secure, high-performance digital services, AUH1 delivers modular and highly scalable wholesale colocation space tailored for mission-critical enterprise applications, government digital platforms, hyperscale cloud deployments, and large-scale data processing environments. The facility is engineered to accommodate evolving customer requirements, allowing organizations to scale their IT infrastructure efficiently while maintaining high levels of operational resilience and availability. Built with a robust structural design, AUH1 incorporates multi-layer physical security measures, including controlled access systems, continuous surveillance, and dedicated security operations to safeguard critical assets. Its ultra-redundant mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) infrastructure ensures uninterrupted service through resilient power distribution, backup generation systems, and redundant cooling architecture that minimizes operational risk while supporting continuous availability. The implementation of advanced closed-loop cooling technology enhances energy efficiency and delivers reliable thermal management for high-density IT environments. Strategically connected to Abu Dhabi's digital ecosystem, AUH1 provides direct, low-latency interconnection to the UAE's leading telecommunications networks, including e& and du, enabling seamless connectivity to national internet infrastructure, enterprise networks, and regional cloud platforms. The facility also supports private network connectivity, disaster recovery solutions, hybrid cloud integration, and secure data exchange for organizations with demanding performance and compliance requirements. As a key component of Khazna's nationwide hyperscale platform, AUH1 plays a significant role in strengthening Abu Dhabi's position as a regional digital infrastructure hub while supporting the UAE's cloud adoption, digital transformation initiatives, artificial intelligence expansion, and long-term economic diversification strategy.
Quick Facts
| Field | Value |
|---|
| Project Name | Khazna AUH1 Abu Dhabi Data Center: Hyperscale Colocation Hub in UAE |
| Location | MBZ City, near Mazyad Mall, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates |
| Status | Fully Operational Hyperscale Facility |
| Commissioning | Operational (Commissioned 2015 / Expanded) |
| Total IT Load | ~13 MW to 21 MW Critical IT Power Capacity Allocation |
| Total Capacity | ~14,000 m² (~150,695 sq ft) gross facility footprint / 12 pod data hall design |
| Tier Level | Uptime Institute Tier III Certified Design & Constructed Facility (TCCF) / ISO 27001, ISO 22301, ISO 14001, ISO 9001, SOC 1 Type II, SOC 2 Type II Compliant |
| Project Type | Purpose-Built Multi-Tenant Wholesale Hyperscale & Enterprise Colocation Data Center |
City Profile
| Header | Details |
|---|
| City Name | Abu Dhabi |
| Population | ~1.6 Million (City) |
| Urban Agglomeration | ~3.8 Million (Emirate) |
| City GDP | ~$310 Billion USD (Emirate) |
| Per Capita Income | ~$82,000 USD |
| City Tier | Tier 1 Global Hub |
| Key Strengths | Nuclear Power, Sovereign Funding, Strategic Neutrality |
Companies Involved
| Header | Details |
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| Developer / Operator | Khazna Data Centers |
| Strategic Infrastructure Partner | Abu Dhabi Distribution Company (ADDC) / Abu Dhabi Department of Energy & Municipal Authorities |
| Construction Contractor | Specialized Regional EPC Contractors (e.g., McLaren Construction / Laing O'Rourke) |
| MEP Engineering | Specialized Global Mission-Critical Engineering Consultants / Khazna In-House Teams |
| Network Connectivity | Carrier-neutral facility featuring dual path-diverse subterranean fiber entrance vaults, redundant Meet-Me-Rooms (MMRs), direct dark fiber links to e& (Etisalat) and du telecom backbones, and direct interconnection to UAE-IX. |
| Power Infrastructure | High-voltage 33kV utility grid feeds from ADDC, static 2N / Block Redundant uninterruptible power supply (UPS) configurations, automated switchgear, and multi-megawatt emergency standby diesel generator arrays with 72-hour on-site fuel autonomy. |
Technical Specifications
| Header | Details |
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| Power Capacity | ~13 MW to 21 MW Total Facility Power Capacity |
| UPS Redundancy | 2N / Block Redundant Static UPS Architecture |
| Cooling System | Closed-loop chilled water cooling plant, N+2 chillers, high-efficiency CRAH units, hot/cold aisle containment systems, and automated BMS environmental controls. |
| Connectivity | Private high-bandwidth fiber mesh network connecting AUH1 directly to Khazna AUH2, AUH3, and DXB cluster facilities, offering direct cross-connects and hybrid cloud interconnections. |
| PUE Target | < 1.40 Annualized Operational Design PUE |
| Energy Mix | Grid utility power integrated with Abu Dhabi's clean energy transition initiatives (ENEC Nuclear & EWEC Solar integration). |
Milestones
| Header | Details |
|---|
| Announcement | 2012–2013 |
| Construction Start | 2013 |
| Phase 1 Go-Live | Operational (2015) |
| Full Buildout | Fully Operational Active Facility |
Investment Details
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| Total Investment | Estimated $150,000,000 USD to $180,000,000 USD Facility Capital Expenditure |
| Funding | Joint Venture Capital (G42 / e& - Emirates Telecommunications Group) |