UAE an ideal destination for 'hyperscale data centres'

As artificial intelligence, cloud computing and digital transformation reshape economies worldwide, the UAE is rapidly positioning itself as one of the leading digital infrastructure hubs. As part of this, the country is building data centres faster than almost anywhere in the region.

“The UAE has one of the most resilient electrical networks in the region,” said Nader Tahan, Product Marketing Director, Gulf & Pakistan, at ABB Electrification Distribution Solutions. 

He was speaking with Gulf Today and said “For global technology leader ABB, this represents more than an engineering challenge, it is an opportunity to help shape the future of the Gulf's digital transformation.”

Having operated in the UAE for more than five decades, ABB has played a supporting role in the country's infrastructure development, from landmark projects such as the Burj Khalifa to the utility networks that power cities every day. Today, the company's focus is increasingly turning towards enabling the next generation of smarter, resilient and sustainable data centres through advanced electrification and automation technologies. 

He further said “That strong foundation has positioned the country as an ideal destination for hyperscale data centres and the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence infrastructure.”

A New Era of Energy Demand

The explosive growth of artificial intelligence is fundamentally changing how data centres are designed and powered.

Only a few years ago, a typical facility required around five megawatts of electricity. Today, hyperscale data centres can demand well over 100 megawatts. This dramatic increase is creating entirely new requirements for electrical infrastructure across the Gulf. 

“One of the most interesting stories right now is what the region's data centre boom is doing to the grid itself,” Tahan explained. “A facility that needed five megawatts of power a few years ago now needs 100 megawatts or more, which isn't a bigger version of the same engineering problem, it's a different one. Data centre owners now face two critical pressures: the need to deploy power infrastructure rapidly, and the absolute requirement for zero downtime once operational. ABB's containerised substation model directly addresses this dual challenge: it cuts delivery time by around 40% against a conventional build, while utilising a self-healing network technology that ensures the ability for a network to detect and reroute around a fault automatically, before it becomes an outage.”

Supporting the UAE's Digital Vision

ABB's long-standing presence in the UAE provides the company with a unique understanding of the country's rapidly evolving infrastructure needs.

Over the years, ABB has contributed to major national projects, including electrification systems for critical mission infrastructure including Trams and Metros to powering airports and other renewable projects. The company also maintains long-standing relationships with utilities including Dubai Electricity and Water Authority and TAQA Distribution, enabling close collaboration on grid modernisation and future infrastructure planning. 

As renewable energy, electric vehicles, and data centres place increasingly complex demands on electricity networks, ABB believes utilities are well positioned to become smarter, more flexible and increasingly digital.

“The UAE continues to demonstrate global leadership in infrastructure planning,” Tahan said. “Its commitment to resilient networks, innovation and long-term investment creates an environment where advanced technologies can be deployed quickly and effectively.”

Sustainability at the Core of Digital Growth

As demand for digital infrastructure accelerates, sustainability is becoming just as important as performance. Modern data centres are among the world's largest consumers of electricity, making energy efficiency and grid optimisation critical to reducing environmental impact.

According to Tahan, the UAE is well positioned to balance rapid digital expansion with its ambitious sustainability goals. “The country's investments in renewable energy, smart grids and resilient electrical infrastructure create an ideal foundation for sustainable data centre growth,” he said.

ABB's electrification technologies are designed to support this transition by enabling more efficient power distribution, improving grid reliability and facilitating the integration of renewable energy sources into the electricity network. Intelligent monitoring and automation also help operators optimise energy consumption, reduce losses and improve overall operational efficiency.

As the UAE advances towards its long-term net-zero ambitions, the next generation of data centres will need to be not only more powerful, but also significantly more energy efficient. By combining resilient electrical infrastructure with smart digital technologies, ABB is helping ensure that the country's digital transformation goes hand in hand with a more sustainable energy future.