News

Dubai Launches World’s Largest Solar-Powered Data Center

The 16,000 square meter facility is located at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park and has a 100+ megawatt capacity.

Published

3 years ago

February 19, 2023

Nour Nasir

dubai launches world's largest solar-powered data center

Dubai Media Office

It’s no secret that cloud-based services require massive data centers and lots of electricity to function. As the world edges towards a zero-carbon, sustainable future, those data centers will need to transition to fully renewable energy sources.

As an ideal location for large-scale solar generation, the UAE has taken decisive action, with Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) inaugurating a new green data center — Moro Hub — through the digital arm, Digital DEWA.

The new facility is located at the massive Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, recognized as the largest single-site solar park in the world. The new data center will also make the record books as the largest solar-powered facility of its type.

“The new data center reflects our commitment to support the development of a sustainable economy and our efforts to transform Dubai into a global green economy hub. Moro Hub has always been a front-runner in promoting digital transformation and sustainability as well as enhancing its integrated solutions to help organizations and companies reach net-zero carbon emissions,” says Saeed Al Tayer, managing director, and chief executive of DEWA.

Also Read: Aramex Completes Testing Dubai Drone & Bot Delivery Service

Arranged over 16,000 square meters and using over 100 megawatts of power, the data center will provide cloud and hosting services, cybersecurity, smart city technology, and more. Dell, Microsoft, and Huawei are among the global leaders providing the technology for the zero-carbon Moro Hub.

“The project is a bright sign in Dubai’s journey towards a sustainable future that takes into account environmental needs,” explained Hamad Al Mansoori, director general of Digital Dubai.

News

YouTube Rolls Out Supervised Children’s Accounts Across MENA

An industry-first feed timer lets parents cap Shorts scrolling. Access can also be switched off entirely ahead of exam season.

Published

12 hours ago

July 10, 2026

Dana Saadeh

YouTube

YouTube has launched supervised kid accounts across the Middle East and North Africa, giving parents a way to hand their children the main YouTube app without handing over all of it. Announced in Dubai on July 2, the accounts are built directly into the platform rather than the standalone YouTube Kids app, and are aimed at families who feel a child has outgrown the curated library but isn’t ready for the open feed.

Parents can choose from three content settings, each broadly aligned with international content ratings. Explore covers educational videos, tutorials, arts and crafts, and dance. Explore More adds gaming and live streams. Most of YouTube opens up almost everything except videos rated 18+ or deemed inappropriate for supervised accounts.

The standout tool is an industry-first Shorts feed timer, which lets parents set daily limits on short-form scrolling. Set it to zero and Shorts disappears altogether – a lever YouTube suggests parents might pull ahead of exam season. Other protections are on by default for all users under 18: “Take a Break” and “Bedtime” reminders, no personalized ad targeting, autoplay switched off, and no ability to upload videos or write comments. The accounts are optional, and parents can end supervision at any time.

The kid accounts join supervised teen accounts already available across the region, which notify parents by email when a teenager uploads a video or starts a live stream.

“YouTube has been a huge part of families’ lives across this region for over 20 years,” said Javid Aslanov, head of YouTube Middle East and North Africa, citing Kantar research showing 95% of viewers in Saudi Arabia and the UAE agree YouTube has top content in education and learning.

Also Read: Tamper With The Recording LED & Meta’s Glasses Kill Camera

“It’s essential that we protect young people in – not from – the digital world,” added Garth Graham, YouTube’s head of health.

The new settings are rolling out gradually across the MENA, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, and Iraq. The latest features can be set up through Family Center in the YouTube app or via Google Family Link.