Sharjah is set to get its first Tier 3 data center from Khazna and BEEAH

Khazna Data Centers, the Middle East and North Africa’s wholesale data center provider, and BEEAH Digital, BEEAH Group’s digital transformation and future technology business, have formed a joint venture that will bring Sharjah its first Tier 3 data center. Data centers are quickly becoming the building blocks of smart cities, ensuring business continuity, key operations, and data sovereignty.

As a result, a joint venture between BEEAH Digital and Khazna Data Centers is advancing Sharjah’s digital infrastructure, beginning with an industry-standard Tier 3 data center. The data center will have high-tech security, fire, and environmental control systems, as well as full redundancy grade power. The newly formed joint venture will be known as One Data Center SPV Limited and will operate as Khazna Data Centers.

Hassan Alnaqbi, CEO of Khazna Data Centers, and Khaled Al Huraimel, Vice Chairman and Group CEO of BEEAH Group, officially formed the joint venture at a signing ceremony recently held at the BEEAH Group Headquarters. The Tier 3 data center in Sharjah will support the Sharjah Government’s ambitious digital transformation efforts as the venture’s first project. It will also enable organizations throughout the UAE to pursue digitally led operations that deliver high-performance, scalable services, create new jobs and commercial opportunities, and foster customer satisfaction.

When completed, the data center will have a capacity of 9 MW. It will have multiple power and cooling paths, maximizing uptime while lowering maintenance and power costs. Cooling-reduction technologies will be integrated into the data center. The project will reduce emissions from power consumption by using solar power.

Inside, smart LED lighting with motion sensors will also aid in energy conservation. The data center will be more energy-efficient than the industry average, with a Power Usage Efficiency of 1.5 or less. The data center will also be designed to conserve water by incorporating wastewater reuse and recycling systems. It is consistent with Khazna’s ‘Future First Strategy,’ which aims to achieve carbon-neutral operations at all of its locations by 2050. The data center also aligns with BEEAH Digital’s mission, which is to accelerate sustainable impact for societies through robust digital solutions. Finally, the data center will implement net-zero waste standards and certifications, which will be measured against the UAE’s sustainability agenda and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Khazna and BEEAH Digital are committed to researching renewable energy sources to meet the power needs of the data center. The facility will also be built to meet Estidama and LEED green building standards. BEEAH Group opened the region’s first commercial-scale waste-to-energy plant in Sharjah earlier this year, with a capacity of 30 MW. A portion of the waste-to-energy plant’s output is being investigated as a potential energy source.

Hassan Alnaqbi, CEO of Khazna Data Centers stated: “Data centres are cornerstones in enabling innovation and driving growth for businesses across a variety of sectors. They are also creating digital opportunities and seamless connections as businesses continue to develop and scale their operations. At Khazna Data Centers, we are focused on further investments in building the infrastructure in UAE to enable our existing and new customers in Sharjah, specifically to launch their services closer to their consumers. The data centre will be well-positioned to support businesses in enhancing the experiences of their customers, unlocking the value of technologies, and making headway on their carbon footprint reduction goals by meeting their environmental and sustainability needs.” 

Khaled Al Huraimel, Vice Chairman and Group CEO, BEEAH Group, said: “Keeping communities connected and providing ready access to digital services is essential for a good quality of life. With a Tier 3 data centre, we can enhance the available infrastructure to government entities as well as private companies. The advanced IT infrastructure will help boost investments, attract business and bring world-class services and data sovereignty for the wider public.”