INTELLIGENT BRANDS // Data Centres
Quantum switch Tamasuk to deliver data centre capacity to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Quantum Switch Tamasuk ( QST ), a Saudi company and a specialist company in the design , build , financing and operation of data centres , has signed a key business principle agreement with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to develop and operate new data centres with a total capacity of 300MW by 2026 . QST already has significant investments in the Kingdom with two data centre campus facilities already under construction .
This agreement with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology ( MCIT ) accelerates data centre development and operations in the country . Each new facility will represent significant and incremental data centre capacity as the Kingdom positions itself as a leader in digitalisation across the region .
QST ’ s data centres will be designed and built to meet the demands of hyperscale cloud service providers , international gaming and media platforms and global content delivery networks to attract them to locate their main regional hubs in the Kingdom . In addition , the data centres will host government digital infrastructure development initiatives , including the Saudi Internet Exchange Point scheme and be centres for colocation of Saudi Arabian government workloads . It is expected that preferential rates for Saudi Arabian-owned start-ups will benefit from hosting and colocation services at the new sites – further stimulating innovation in the Kingdom ’ s digital economy . the Kingdom will benefit directly from the new high-skill and high-value jobs created . Local contractors and suppliers will be used for construction wherever possible with QST leveraging its international supply chains and talent when specific skills and expertise cannot be locally sourced .
Both parties are committed to sustainable data centres and the new sites will feature the latest designs to minimise cooling requirements . In addition , MCIT will work with QST to develop and secure sources of renewable energy sources to further enhance sustainability .
Bassam Al Bassam , Deputy Minister of MCIT , Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , said : “ We thank QST that they came to the table with the perfect mix for us – global data centre experience combined with local infrastructure development expertise and a real commitment to excellence and focus on sustainable investments . We are confident that these new data centres will accelerate our own green digitalisation plans in the Kingdom .”
Tim Bawtree , Co-Founder and CEO , Quantum Switch , said : “ We are honoured to be awarded this contract by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia . With expertise gained through the design , build and operations of over four million square feet of data centres , we understand the challenges and know how to find the right solutions to deliver this strategic project for the MCIT .”
Matthew Nathan , CEO , Tamasuk added : “ We are committed to the QST – MCIT partnership , combining Tamasuk ’ s financial capacity and development expertise with Quantum ’ s undoubted technical knowledge and reputation with international hyperscalers to become the pre-eminent Saudi data centre developer and operator .” p
The design , build and operation of these new facilities will create demand for highly skilled workers at every level . QST has committed to at least one third of these new roles being filled by Saudi Arabian nationals and will create dedicated training and skills development plans to ensure that
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