A significant datacentre project in Loughton, Essex, which the UK government previously hailed as the country's largest AI supercomputer, is set to miss its planned launch next year. The facility could now be delayed until the mid-2030s due to problems securing an adequate power supply.
Nscale, the startup building the supercomputer, has reportedly been informed by UK Power Networks (UKPN) that the local grid may not be able to provide sufficient power until the early to mid-2030s. The project, announced in 2025, was cited by Keir Starmer's government when detailing the UK's AI strategy.
The Loughton site requires up to 90MW of capacity, an amount equivalent to the energy consumption of approximately 315,000 homes. Nscale has stated its commitment to the project and is exploring options such as on-site power generation and accelerating the connection process. The scaffolding yard previously occupying the planned location has now been cleared.
Ofgem, the energy regulator, has highlighted a backlog in electricity connection applications, noting in June that 315 datacentres were awaiting connection to the National Grid, representing 73GW of demand. This contrasts with the country's peak energy demand of 45GW.