The General Authority of Competition in Saudi Arabia has reportedly given data centers in the new city-state of Neom, Saudi-Arabia, the go-ahead. This project will be a part of a joint venture between Neom and Fas Energy and will see the construction and operation of “sustainable” ultra-large-scale data centers in the city.
While this next generation of “sustainable” data centers appears positive, the actual creation of the new city where the facilities will be based is steeped in controversy. Named “an accelerator of human progress,” the city is located on the Red Sea coast in the northwestern Saudi province of Tabuk. This is currently home to the Huwaitat tribe who are facing mass eviction.
The 20,000 members of the tribe who face displacement have historical ties to the land and have said that they are being removed from the land to make way for the rich, business and tech.
The $500 billion megacity is being advertised as a futuristic tech hub and a “smart city,” where technology and connectivity will be a part of every facet of daily life while being fuelled by 100% renewable energy.
