UK's Largest AI Supercomputer Faces Years of Delay as Grid Power Falls Short
Nscale's Nvidia-backed UK AI data center will miss its 2027 launch after the grid said power will not arrive until the early 2030s.
Nscale, a UK startup, is building the facility as its first project. TechRadar reported that the company is preparing for a £26 billion ($35 billion) public listing and has already raised about £2.55 billion ($3.36 billion) in pre-IPO funding. Nvidia is among its backers. The site is a neocloud, a GPU-based AI cloud data center.
The Loughton facility requires 90MW to operate, roughly the same energy requirement as 315,000 homes. TechRadar reported that as recently as March 2026 the site was still operating as a scaffolding yard. Starmer had highlighted it as an example of the UK's commitment to AI, according to the report.
The delay is not isolated. TechRadar reported that the UK's National Grid has a backlog of more than 300 data centers requiring power, with total demand more than 60% greater than the UK's current capacity. In June 2026, regulator Ofgem said 315 data centers were awaiting connection to the National Grid, representing 73GW of demand, which exceeds the country's entire 45GW capacity by 62%.
National Grid does not comment on individual cases. A representative told the Guardian, according to TechRadar: "We're continuing to work closely with Neso, distribution network operators and customers to identify opportunities to accelerate connections where possible and support economic growth."
Other data center plans around the UK are also being held up by power supply problems. TechRadar reported that around 100 data centers are planning to build their own gas-fired power stations, and that 100GW of data center projects were awaiting connection to the UK's power infrastructure. The UK's power generation is a mix of gas, nuclear, wind, solar and biomass, with some electricity imported from mainland Europe. Over the past 25 years, the country has focused more on renewable energy, deprioritised nuclear and used gas as a fallback. The rising demand from AI has shown that strategy requires an urgent rethink, according to TechRadar.
Editor's Summary Nscale's Nvidia-backed Loughton data center, promoted as the UK's largest AI supercomputer, will be delayed by years because the local grid cannot supply 90MW until the early 2030s. The case reflects a broader UK backlog, with Ofgem reporting 315 data centers awaiting 73GW of connection against 45GW of national capacity. The project's missed 2027 launch adds pressure on the UK's AI strategy and its power planning.