Brookfield plans $27bn AI data centre at UK's Drax power station

· Energy · United Kingdom

Brookfield plans a $27 billion AI data centre at Britain's Drax power station in North Yorkshire, under a £20 billion deal with the plant's FTSE 250 owner to build AI infrastructure on the site, The Guardian reported. The project could make it the country's largest data centre. Europe is scrambling to develop infrastructure to support the rollout of AI amid high energy and land costs, CNBC reported. The plan would give the UK's most polluting power plant a new "chapter" as a hub for energy-hungry computing.

Why it matters：The project shows how AI computing demand is colliding with energy and climate policy, as data centres seek large power supplies from existing plants.

Key points

  • Brookfield plans a $27 billion AI data centre at Drax.
  • The £20 billion deal was struck with the plant's owner.
  • Europe is racing to build AI infrastructure despite high energy and land costs.

Sources (original reporting)

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