Drax plans twenty billion pound AI data centre

Drax backs twenty billion pound AI centre

Drax, Britain's largest power station in North Yorkshire, will build an AI data centre with Brookfield and Radiant. The site could eventually host more than one gigawatt of computing capacity.

Three phases over more than three years

The first phase targets one hundred megawatts from early twenty twenty-eight, funded by two point five billion pounds from a joint venture between Brookfield and Qai, a subsidiary of the Qatar Investment Authority.

Phase two uses Drax's own power

A second phase aims to add another five hundred megawatts between twenty twenty-eight and twenty thirty-one, powered directly by Drax's own generators under a long-term contract, subject to government approval.

Still needs planning and a customer

The first phase requires planning permission, regulatory approval, grid access and a final investment decision from each partner. Radiant will seek anchor customers before construction starts. No tenant has been announced yet.

Government backs plan despite emissions row

The government welcomed the investment as supporting reindustrialisation and jobs in Yorkshire. However, Drax is the UK's single largest emitter of carbon dioxide, and its subsidies will be halved from twenty twenty-seven to twenty thirty-one.

“Investments like this will help pave the way to a new age of British reindustrialisation, creating good jobs in Yorkshire and delivering growth right across the country.”