Kazakhstan is set to become a new hub for large-scale computing infrastructure. During an economic forum in China, the parties agreed to develop an AI Data Center cluster whose electricity demand will rival that of an entire industrial region.
The project was discussed during the Summer Davos forum. The new data center complex is expected to consume up to 1 gigawatt of electricity. To put the scale into perspective, such a load is comparable to the energy needs of a major industrial hub. The project will be implemented in phases between 2026 and 2029.
Beyond computing infrastructure, Chinese companies are also exploring a range of industrial initiatives in Kazakhstan. These include green copper production in the Aktobe Region, the establishment of a full-cycle battery manufacturing facility, localization of automobile assembly, and the processing of rare metals.
Coal chemistry and transport-logistics projects have also attracted significant interest. This broad portfolio suggests that the partners view Kazakhstan not merely as a location for server facilities, but as a comprehensive manufacturing base for high-tech industries.
A data center of this scale addresses several strategic objectives at once. Kazakhstan will gain world-class digital infrastructure, new jobs, and additional investment in the energy sector. Chinese companies, meanwhile, will secure a reliable platform for developing artificial intelligence technologies outside their home market.
The cooperation extends well beyond a single project. The data center is expected to become the core of a broader industrial partnership spanning metallurgy, energy, chemicals, and logistics.
Source: @metalsesgtrends
Image: @metalsesgtrends
