Drax, Brookfield partner on $27 billion AI data centre in UK
The partners outlined a more-than-1-gigawatt data-centre project at Drax Power Station, subject to planning, regulatory and network approvals.
TL;DR
- Drax partnered with Brookfield and its AI infrastructure platform Radiant on a data centre project exceeding 1 gigawatt at Drax Power Station in northern England.
- Reuters reported a potential investment above £20 billion ($26.8 billion), including £2.5 billion for the initial phase; Drax said the estimate includes semiconductors.
- The first phase targets commercial operations in early 2028, but depends on planning, regulatory and network approvals and final investment decisions.
Reuters reported that British power company Drax agreed to work with Brookfield and Radiant on an AI data centre at Drax Power Station in North Yorkshire. The planned site is designed to exceed 1 gigawatt of capacity, and Drax separately announced the strategic partnership on November 3. [1] [2]
Brookfield estimates total investment could exceed £20 billion ($26.8 billion), including £2.5 billion for the first phase, according to Reuters and Drax. Reuters said the estimate includes semiconductor costs, so it is broader than the facility construction alone. [1]
The first phase is targeted to begin commercial operations in early 2028, subject to planning, regulatory and network approvals and final investment decisions by the partners. Drax said it would provide land, power and grid access through the station’s existing connection. [1] [2]
The companies also said they plan a voluntary community-benefits fund developed with local communities. The project’s full scale, timetable and investment remain conditional; the announcement does not establish that all planned capacity will be built. [1] [2]
Why it matters
The project links AI compute expansion to power-station land and grid access, while its proposed scale makes electricity infrastructure a central condition of delivery. The investment and capacity figures are plans, not completed construction or committed final expenditure.
Editor's note
Headline follows Reuters. Drax’s announcement confirms the partnership; Reuters provides the investment estimate and conditions. Figures and schedule remain prospective.