Project record, project
Nscale Loughton AI data centre (Essex)
Planned AI data centre by UK company Nscale at Loughton, Essex, presented by the UK government in 2025 as the largest UK sovereign AI data centre, with Microsoft as the expected anchor customer. In September 2026 the Guardian reported that UK Power Networks had indicated sufficient grid supply might not be available until the early to mid 2030s, against a planned 2027 opening. The site is reported to be seeking up to 90 MW. On 18 October 2026 Reuters and the Guardian, citing the Telegraph, reported that Microsoft had terminated its agreement for the site. Nscale says it remains committed and is exploring alternative power sources.
Reported figures
| Figure | What it measures | Delivery state | Scope and date | Used in totals | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| up to 90 MW Third-party reported Upper bound | Grid connection Reported requested supply capacity. Basis (grid import versus IT) not confirmed by the developer. Source wording: "seeking up to 90MW of capacity" | Announced Stage stated in source: Announced | project 24 Sept 2026 | No. Upper bound only ("up to"). Not added to totals. | theguardian.com (opens in a new tab) |
Each figure is shown as reported, with its own definition. IT, facility, grid and thermal figures are never added together. Capacity definitions.
What changed
- 18 Oct 2026 Microsoft reportedly walks away from Nscale's Loughton AI site as grid dates slip: Reuters and the Guardian, citing the Telegraph, reported on 18 October 2026 that Microsoft ended its agreement for Nscale's planned AI data centre at Loughton, Essex. A month earlier the Guardian reported UK Power Networks might not supply enough power until the early to mid 2030s, against a 2027 target. Nscale says it is pursuing alternative power. Third-party reported Related: Microsoft, Great Britain: Ofgem data centre connection reforms (Demand Connections Reform, Curate consultation), United Kingdom. theguardian.com (opens in a new tab)theguardian.com (opens in a new tab)channelnewsasia.com (opens in a new tab)
- 24 Sept 2026 Reported grid delay: power not expected until early to mid 2030s Third-party reported theguardian.com (opens in a new tab)
Notes
Grid status "applied" reflects reported pending connection with UKPN. Microsoft previously named the UK site in its Fairwater blog (18 Sept 2025) as an AI datacenter using GB300 clusters.
Sources (4), last checked 18 Oct 2026
- Microsoft pulls out of AI datacentre project in Essex over power supply concerns (opens in a new tab), The Guardian, published 18 Oct 2026, accessed 18 Oct 2026
- Launch of UK's largest AI supercomputer delayed by power supply problems (opens in a new tab), The Guardian, published 24 Sept 2026, accessed 18 Oct 2026
- Microsoft pulls out of UK data center deal with Nscale, Telegraph reports (Reuters) (opens in a new tab), CNA / Reuters, published 18 Oct 2026, accessed 18 Oct 2026
- Inside the world's most powerful AI datacenter (opens in a new tab), Microsoft (Official Microsoft Blog), published 18 Sept 2025, accessed 18 Oct 2026
Last checked 18 Oct 2026 by CoolPower Index research (automated, sourced). Report a correction.