The UK’s Laing O’Rourke has been appointed by the local Khazna Data Centres (Khazna) to design, build and fit-out data centres in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

The contract covers Khazna Data Centres’ Pods 4, 5 and 6 that will double the company’s data centre capacity.

The expansion has a built-up area of about 31,000 square metres across the existing facilities in Abu Dhabi and Dubai out of which 7,500 sqm is IT whitespace.

The works include full design responsibility, the construction of a two-storey building for each pod, and all specialist mechanical, electrical and plumbing works.

Design work commences with immediate effect with on-site works due to begin in early 2018. The projects are scheduled for handover in summer 2019 in Dubai and autumn 2019 in Abu Dhabi.