Drax, Brookfield and Radiant plan GW-scale AI data centre at Drax Power Station, investment could top £20bn
Phase 1 targets up to 100MW from Q1 2028 with £2.5bn of backing from the Brookfield-Qai joint venture, then up to 500MW by 2031; it still needs planning, regulatory and grid approvals and a tenant.
Why it matters
The site's draw is power: the Drax estate has 4GW of grid access and 2.6GW of dispatchable generation, while grid connections are the main bottleneck for UK data centres. It is one of the largest AI infrastructure plans announced in Britain and the companies say it fits the government's new Data Centre Covenant. Drax shares rose 8.2% in early trading. Watch the community consultation, the planning application due in the coming months, and whether a tenant signs for phase 1.
Key facts
- Total investment could exceed £20bn (Brookfield estimate)
- Phase 1: up to 100MW, operational from Q1 2028
- Phase 1 backing: £2.5bn
- Phase 2: up to 500MW between 2028 and 2031
- Estate: 1,000 acres, 4GW grid access
- Drax shares up 8.2% in early trading