The Newshound

Microsoft insists £22bn UK pledge 'will not change' after quitting an Essex AI data centre with no power until after 2030

Nscale's planned Loughton, Essex facility, which Microsoft has abandoned after the site was found unlikely to connect to the power grid before 2030.
Nscale's planned Loughton, Essex facility, which Microsoft has abandoned after the site was found unlikely to connect to the power grid before 2030.

Microsoft has withdrawn from its agreement to take leased computing capacity at Nscale's planned Loughton, Essex facility — billed as Britain's largest AI data centre — after the site was found to be unlikely to connect to the power grid before 2030. Darren Hardman, Microsoft's UK and Ireland boss, described the project as "a small component" of the 2025-2028 package, adding that the firm remains "fully committed" to it.

Hardman says Microsoft will still work with Nscale, but on sites outside the UK.

He claims positive AI talks with Prime Minister Andy Burnham since his appointment.

AI use among Britons rose to 43.7 per cent, up from 36.6 per cent a year earlier.

MoreLBCMicrosoft still committed to £22bn UK investment despite data centre withdrawalThe Times of IndiaMicrosoft says 'not possible' to UK's biggest data centre developer Nscale, after repeated delays, and el - The Times of IndiaBERNAMAMicrosoft Committed To US$30 Bln UK Investment Despite Data Centre ExitYahoo FinanceMicrosoft committed to $30bn UK investment despite data centre exit
Read today's full feed at The Newshound →