Kazakhstan’s new ‘Data Center Valley’ takes shape in Ekibastuz

As Kazakhstani authorities make a major bet on artificial intelligence and expect massive future benefits, the need for data centers is growing. To provide the necessary computing resources, the country has launched several ambitious projects, including Data Center Valley in Ekibastuz, Pavlodar region.

According to Zhaslan Madiyev, deputy prime minister and minister of artificial intelligence and digital development, the data centers in Ekibastuz, with a combined capacity of 304 megawatts, could generate up to $3.1 billion in annual revenue once fully operational. He made the statement at a meeting with Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov on the project, citing KPMG estimates.

Madiyev also said the project is expected to attract about $20 billion in investment over the next 20 years.

The project is being implemented in stages, with the first phase involving the construction of three data centers with a combined capacity of 304 megawatts. The first — a 68-megawatt facility — is already under construction and may be commissioned in the second quarter of 2027.

Meanwhile, a second data center called «Firebird AI» is also under construction. The 164-megawatts facility’s excavation work is70% complete. This facility is scheduled to be completed and launched in the third quarter of 2027.

The third data center, with a capacity of 72 megawatts, is slated to become operational in the fourth quarter of 2027.

As for the second phase of the project, authorities have already signed preliminary agreements with Gaw Capital, Boosteroid and Firebird to host 480 megawatts of computing capacity. In the future, that capacity might be expanded to 620 megawatts. Negotiations are also underway with Aleria, Energy Capital Global, and China Energy regarding an additional 240 megawatts of capacity, with the prospect of increasing this to 420 megawatts.

Data Center Valley is expected to reach a total capacity of 1 gigawatt by 2029.

Meanwhile, Kazakhtelecom, Kazakhstan’s national telecommunications provider, plans to secure the necessary funds for the Data Center Valley project through bond issuances and loans from the Development Bank of Kazakhstan and similar international financial institutions.