Business

Microsoft pulls out of AI datacentre project in Essex over power supply concerns

The Guardian Business · 18 October 2026 at 14:05

Microsoft pulls out of AI datacentre project in Essex over power supply concerns

Development by UK firm Nscale heralded by ministers as largest of its kind in the country loses its anchor tenant The development of a huge AI datacentre hailed by the UK government has received a fresh setback after Microsoft pulled out of the project over concerns about power supplies.

The development by the British firm Nscale, heralded by ministers as the country’s largest AI datacentre when it was announced in 2025, was planned to open at Loughton in Essex next year.

Read the full article on The Guardian Business ›

5News aggregated this summary from the outlet’s public feed. The full article, with all the context, is on www.theguardian.com — the content belongs to The Guardian Business.

Microsoft pulls out of AI datacentre project in Essex over power supply concerns

More from The Guardian Business

What are self-replicating ‘AI worms’, and why is Anthropic worried about them?

The next ayahuasca? Gabon fights to protect sacred plant from US drug companies

EPA quietly backtracks on claims US has phased out toxic Pfas compounds

US workers facing deadly heat borrow from tomato pickers to win key protections

More in Business

Claim a stake in the hottest companies - BEFORE they strike it big: Early investors in firms like Anthropic are in line for massive paydays - and here's how you can join in the bonanza

France reels after ‘unprecedented’ violent riots

What are self-replicating ‘AI worms’, and why is Anthropic worried about them?

The next ayahuasca? Gabon fights to protect sacred plant from US drug companies

St Petersburg endures biggest Ukrainian drone attack

EPA quietly backtracks on claims US has phased out toxic Pfas compounds