A monumental digital shift is rewriting the economic narrative of Central Asia. DataVolt has secured a landmark USD 150 million non-recourse project financing deal. Backed by elite global development institutions, this capital accelerates the construction of TAS-1 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Consequently, this facility will establish itself as one of the regionโs largest AI-ready green data centers.
Capital Meets Cloud
Global lenders are betting heavily on Uzbekistanโs digital infrastructure. A powerhouse consortium fuels this 12-year non-recourse project financing.
- DEG drives private sector sustainable growth.
- EBRD expands telecommunications and data analytics.
- OPEC Fund acts as the projectโs financial model bank.
- Proparco marks its debut data center investment in the country.
This massive financial injection directly aligns with the state’s ambitious ‘Digital Uzbekistan – 2030 Strategy’. The government aims to scale its AI products and services market to $1.5 billion by 2030.
Rajit Nanda, the CEO of DataVolt said, โThis financing marks an important milestone in our journey to support Uzbekistanโs digital transformation and ensure the country is well placed to leverage the opportunity offered by the AI economy. Importantly, TAS-1 is not just an infrastructure investment, it is a platform to develop local capabilities, foster innovation, and contribute to the creation of a digitally skilled workforce that can power Uzbekistanโs long-term growth. We are grateful to DEG, EBRD, OPEC Fund and Proparco for sharing our vision to bring world class digital infrastructure to this thriving data center market.โ
Hyper-Scale Tech Specifications
- Total Capacity: 12MW of enterprise-grade IT power.
- Uptime Guarantee: Exceptional 99.982% operational reliability.
- Cooling Systems: Next-generation liquid cooling for dense AI workloads.
- Launch Timeline: Phase one goes live by late 2026.
Sustainable Power Architecture
The TAS-1 facility redefines industrial sustainability in the region. DataVolt targets strict Net-Zero operations through intelligent engineering. The mega-hub will eliminate nearly all Scope 2 emissions. Crucially, the facility will run on more than 95% green electricity sourced from the local grid.
This approach combines digitalization with extreme energy efficiency. It sets a bold new blueprint for eco-conscious technological scaling in emerging markets.
Cultivating Tomorrow’s Tech Elite
DataVolt is building more than just concrete and silicon. The company acts as a catalyst for human capital development. It bridges the technical skills gap through an innovative academic partnership with Shirin College.
Together, they launched a dedicated two-year diploma program. This initiative actively trains the next generation of digital infrastructure professionals. As a result, local talent will directly run the region’s expanding AI economy.
Driving Regional Competitiveness
Modern digital infrastructure is essential to sustain economic diversification. TAS-1 improves data management and advanced analytics for diverse businesses. It optimizes operations for agricultural producers, processors, and massive manufacturing companies alike.
By anchoring this digital ecosystem, DataVolt firmly positions Uzbekistan as a dominant regional hub. Technology, sustainability, and corporate ambition have officially converged in Tashkent.
โDEGโs mandate is to advance sustainable development in partnership with the private sector. DataVolt is developing a new AI-ready data center that has an ambition to operate largely on renewable energy sourced from the local grid in Uzbekistan. DEG supports the promotion of green digital infrastructure under the Digital Uzbekistan 2030 Strategy,โย commented Monika Beck, member of DEGโs Management Board.
Holger Muent, EBRD Director of Telecommunications, Media and Technology, added,ย โThe financing will mark a significant step in expanding the digital infrastructure capacity of Central Asiaโs most populous state, improving data management, analytics and digital services for businesses ranging from agricultural producers and processors to manufacturing companiesโ.
Khalid Khadduri, OPEC Fund Vice President, Private Sector said:ย โUzbekistanโs digital transformation is creating new opportunities for economic diversification, innovation and private sector growth. Expanding modern digital infrastructure is essential to sustain this momentum, improve access to technology-enabled services and strengthen the countryโs competitiveness. The OPEC Fund is pleased to support a project that will help accelerate this transition through long-term private investment while also serving as the projectโs financial model bank.โ
โThis investment marks a significant milestone for Proparco in Uzbekistan as our first data center project in the country. It reflects our strong commitment to supporting Uzbekistanโs economic transformation through sustainable digital infrastructure. By combining digitalization, energy efficiency, and high environmental and social standards, the project contributes to the countryโs 2030 ambitions,โ commented Anne Gautier, Head of Energy and Telecom for Asia and Latin America, Proparco.
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Strategic Hub: Positions Uzbekistan as the core digital nexus of Central Asia.
- Green Standards: Achieves premium efficiency using world-class environmental standards.
- Market Growth: Capitalizes on a booming, government-backed $1.5 billion AI market.
