Nscale Loughton sovereign AI data centre
Nscale
Nscale's Loughton, Essex site was named in the government's 2025 AI strategy as the UK's largest sovereign AI supercomputer, linked to Microsoft's UK investment, and was due to open in 2027. Planning permission is in place, but the Guardian reported on 24 September 2026 that UK Power Networks has told Nscale it cannot supply the requested 90MW until the early-to-mid 2030s. Nscale is looking at on-site generation.
Key facts
- Operator / developer
- Nscale
- Location
- Loughton (former scaffolding yard), Loughton, East of England, United Kingdom
- Status
- Approved
- Facility type
- Data centre
- AI relevance
- High — AI/compute led
Power & grid
- Network operator
- UK Power Networks
- Grid position
- Reported: power not available until early-to-mid 2030s
- Grid connection
- Up to 90MW requested from UK Power Networks
- Power
- Nscale has requested up to 90MW. UK Power Networks has reportedly said sufficient power cannot be supplied until the early-to-mid 2030s (Guardian, 24 Sep 2026; not confirmed by UKPN).
- On-site generation
- Nscale is exploring on-site generation, including gas fuel cells, as an interim measure (Guardian).
Planning
- Planning route
- Local planning (TCPA)
- Planning decision
- Permission granted (outline 2024; revised scheme approved mid-2026)
Benefits vs drawbacks
Benefits
Timeline
Guardian reports UK Power Networks cannot supply the requested 90MW until the early-to-mid 2030s; 2027 launch expected to slip.
Source
Sources
- Launch of UK's largest AI supercomputer delayed by power supply problems
Secondary source · The Guardian (via inkl) · 24 September 2026
- UK government reportedly urged Nscale AI data centre approval
Secondary source · Capacity
- Nscale latest to face public backlash over proposed data centre
Secondary source · Data Centre Review · 30 March 2026
Last verified
30 September 2026
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