Dominic Jainy stands at the forefront of the Middle East’s digital transformation, bringing years of expertise in high-density computing and infrastructure investment to the table. As an advisor on some of the world’s most ambitious technology projects, he has a front-row seat to the massive shifts occurring within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This conversation explores the radical engineering behind Neom’s Oxagon data center, the strategic partnership between Humain and DataVolt, and how these massive investments in 1.5GW capacity and renewable energy are reshaping the global digital landscape. We delve into the logistical hurdles of floating infrastructure, the necessity of specialized cooling for the Red Sea climate, and the broader economic implications of the national shift toward a digital-first economy.
With the Oxagon data center targeting a total capacity of 1.5GW, what are the primary logistical challenges of building such a massive hyperscale facility on a floating hexagonal industrial district? How will the initial 100MW phase set the technical foundation for the remaining 360MW of the first stage?
Building a 1.5GW campus on a floating hexagonal structure in the Red Sea requires us to rethink traditional civil engineering from the ground up. We are managing the weight distribution of thousands of server racks while ensuring that the buoyant foundation remains stable against maritime conditions. The initial 100MW phase is critical because it allows us to test the modular infrastructure and power delivery systems before we scale to the full 360MW of the first stage. This groundwork ensures that the technical protocols for high-speed connectivity and structural integrity are flawless, providing a repeatable blueprint for the massive expansion ahead.
The site is expected to be powered entirely by wind and solar assets. How do you plan to manage energy storage and grid stability to ensure 24/7 uptime for high-density AI computing, and what specific cooling innovations are required for a facility located on the Red Sea coast?
To maintain a constant flow of power for AI workloads using only wind and solar, we rely on Neom’s sophisticated energy management systems and large-scale battery storage. Grid stability is paramount, so we use predictive AI to balance the load between peak solar hours and overnight wind surges. The Red Sea environment is notoriously hot and humid, which makes standard air cooling impossible for high-density computing. We are deploying advanced cooling systems that utilize local environmental advantages while protecting sensitive electronics from the corrosive salt air and intense heat.
The partnership between Humain and DataVolt aims to turn AI ambition into usable compute and capacity by 2028. What specific infrastructure milestones must be met to ensure the project stays on schedule, and how will this capacity be partitioned to serve government entities versus private cloud providers?
Reaching our 2028 operational goal requires hitting strict milestones, starting with the immediate completion of the specialized land lease and infrastructure support at the Oxagon site. We have already broken ground, and the next step is finalizing the high-capacity connectivity that links this remote district to the rest of the Kingdom. The 360MW capacity will be strategically partitioned to ensure that government entities have dedicated, secure corridors for sovereign data. Meanwhile, private cloud providers will have access to scalable blocks of power that allow them to offer advanced AI services to the broader commercial market.
Beyond the Neom project, new collaborations are emerging to develop data centers across the Kingdom. How will the infrastructure requirements for Zain KSA differ from those at Oxagon, and what steps are being taken to ensure these facilities can handle the power-hungry demands of advanced AI applications?
The data centers planned for Zain KSA are focused on regional scalability and low-latency connectivity for businesses and digital platforms across various cities. Unlike the concentrated 1.5GW hyperscale environment at Oxagon, these facilities must be integrated into existing urban grids while still supporting high-density cooling. We are implementing modular designs that allow these sites to grow as demand for AI applications increases. Every facility is being built with high-capacity connectivity to ensure that whether it is a government office or a private enterprise, the user experiences no lag in processing power.
Establishing a regional technology hub involves moving away from oil dependence toward a digital economy. How do these large-scale infrastructure projects directly support the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, and what metrics will you use to measure the success of this digital transformation?
These projects represent the physical backbone of the shift from an oil-based economy to one driven by data and innovation. By building world-class digital infrastructure, we are creating a foundation that attracts global tech giants and fosters a local ecosystem of AI development. We will measure success by the total compute capacity available within the Kingdom and the rate at which diverse industries adopt these digital tools. Ultimately, the goal is to see a significant percentage of the national GDP generated by digital services rather than natural resources.
What is your forecast for the data center market in Saudi Arabia?
I expect the Kingdom to become the primary data gravity well for the entire Middle East, with capacity continuing to grow well beyond the current 1.5GW target at Oxagon. As we approach 2028, the arrival of massive AI-ready facilities will trigger a wave of investment from global cloud service providers looking for renewable-powered compute. We are going to see Saudi Arabia transition from a consumer of global digital services to a major exporter of processing power. This infrastructure will not just serve local needs but will act as a critical node in the global AI supply chain for decades to come.