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[TECHNOLOGY] · United Kingdom, United States · 6 sources

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Part of situation: Microsoft cancels UK data center deal amid power delays (3 clusters)

UK AI supercomputer faces delays due to power grid constraints

AI supercomputer Nscale energy grid constraints data center power demand Nvidia AI chips

The launch of the United Kingdom’s largest planned AI supercomputer, scheduled to open next year, faces potential delays until the 2030s due to electricity supply constraints. The project is being developed in Loughton, east of London, by the British startup Nscale, which is backed by investor Nvidia.

Nscale intends to install approximately 23,000 Nvidia AI chips to create the supercomputer, which is designed to support Microsoft Azure cloud services. However, UK Power Networks (UKPN) has informed the company that the local grid will not be able to provide sufficient power until the early to mid-2030s, citing the need for extensive work on the national transmission network.

In response, Nscale is exploring the possibility of generating electricity on-site. Meanwhile, National Grid stated it is working with the national system operator, NESO, and local managers to accelerate grid connections. The data centre's capacity could eventually grow from 50 to 90 megawatts.

Entities

Microsoft · National Grid · Nscale · Nvidia · UK Power Networks

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Sources

UK colocation vs server room costs compared [www.comparethecloud.net]
UK data centers turn to gas generators as grid delays stretch to a decade [cryptobriefing.com]
Il più grande supercomputer IA del Regno Unito potrebbe restare senza energia fino agli anni 2030 [it.euronews.com]
Le principal supercalculateur d'IA du Royaume-Uni pourrait rester sans courant jusqu'aux années 2030 [fr.euronews.com]
Reino Unido: Maior supercomputador de IA pode só ter energia suficiente nos anos 2030 [pt.euronews.com]
UK's biggest AI supercomputer may have to wait until 2030s for enough power [www.euronews.com]