Drax to build biomass-powered data centre

The UK’s largest power station Drax has partnered with an AI firm to jointly develop and operate an AI data centre in a deal potentially worth more than £20bn ($27bn). 

Drax has signed a deal with Brookfield’s dedicated AI infrastructure platform Brookfield and Radiant to develop a data centre with an initial capacity of 100 MW. 

With £2.5bn of initial backing, the data centre will be located at the Drax Power Station site in North Yorkshire. Drax has 4 GW of grid access and is in close proximity to the UK’s fibre network, which would benefit potential data centre infrastructure.

Adding capacity

The project is split into three phases, with the first phase expected to operate at 100 MW by Q1 of 2028. 

Phase 2 and 3 follow the trajectory of 2028 onwards, where by 2031 onwards Drax is able to facilitate more than 500 MW of data centre capacity. 

While Radiant will lead the project on design and commercialisation, Drax says it will lead on site development using existing infrastructure to import power directly from the grid.

Drax on AI

The Brookfield project represents Drax’s larger plans to position itself as a leader in building AI on existing infrastructure. 

Will Gardiner, Drax Group CEO, said: “Drax Power Station is one of the few UK sites that can provide large-scale reliable power directly to data centre customers by utilising existing and underutilised generation capacity. 

“We welcome the government’s recognition that strategically important data centres need faster access to power and planning. The priority now must be turning that ambition into delivery, so projects like this can move at the pace the UK needs to compete for global AI investment.”

Drax and its partners are currently working on a planning application, with a public consultation set to occur this month.