Saudi Arabia-based data center developer Quantum Switch Tamasuk (QST) has signed an agreement with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) to develop and operate new data centers with a total capacity of 300MW by 2026.
QST, a Saudi joint venture between UK data center firm Quantum Switch and Saudi infrastructure investor Tamasuk, is a ‘specialist’ in the design, build, financing, and operation of data centers.
According to the statement, QST already has significant investments in the Kingdom with two data center campus facilities already under construction.
MCIT will work with QST to develop and secure sources of renewable energy sources and both parties are actively evaluating the potential of connecting solar photovoltaic (PV) facilities to the data centers.
The data centers will be designed to target hyperscale customers, but will also host government digital infrastructure development initiatives, including the Saudi Internet Exchange Point scheme, and provide colocation for Saudi Arabian government workloads, as per the company.
Mr. Bassam Al Bassam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Deputy Minister of MCIT said that, “We thank QST that came to the table with the perfect mix for us – global data center experience combined with local infrastructure development expertise, a real commitment to excellence, and focus on sustainable investments. We are confident that these new data centers will accelerate our own green digitalization plans in the Kingdom.”
Mr. Tim Bawtree, co-founder, and CEO of Quantum Switch remarked that, “We are honored to be awarded this contract by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. With expertise gained through the design, build, and operations of over 4 million square feet of data centers, we understand the challenges and know how to find the right solutions to deliver this strategic project for the MCIT.”
“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 center developer and operator,” commented Mr. Matthew Nathan, CEO of Tamasuk.
