🇷🇴 Romanian, 4 November 2026, data center investment
UK Prepares £20 Billion Investment in AI Data Center
Drax, Brookfield, and Radiant partner to develop a 1 GW data center in northern England.
The partnership plans to extend the capacity to 1.5 GW by 2031, with the first phase expected to be operational by 2028. The data center will be powered by a 4 GW connection to Drax’s existing power plant. Brookfield will provide capital through a joint venture with Qai, a Qatari company. The project aims to support the UK’s digital infrastructure and contribute to the region’s economic development.
Drax will provide the land, energy infrastructure, and access to the power grid, while Radiant will oversee the project’s design, customer relations, and commercial development. The first phase will use grid power, with future phases potentially utilizing the power plant’s production capacity.
The UK government is seeking to accelerate the development of strategic data centers by streamlining the planning and regulatory process. The project is expected to support the growth of the UK’s AI sector and retain sensitive data within the country.