{
  "id": 15514542,
  "title": "Microsoft pulls out of UK's largest AI data centre",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/microsoft-pulls-out-of-uks-largest-ai-data-centre",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-10-18T16:46:42.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "BBC Business",
    "slug": "bbc-business",
    "url": "https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9m26kl5y7epo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Microsoft has terminated its involvement in the UK's largest AI data centre project located in Loughton, Essex. Despite Nscale, the company set to build the £2bn facility, initially announcing Microsoft's participation, the BBC understands that the tech giant has pulled out. Nscale is now exploring alternative power sources for the site, emphasizing the strength of its relationship with Microsoft for other overseas projects. Microsoft, however, declined to comment on the matter. The data centre, which was set to receive its power supply by the end of the year, has now been pushed back to the 2030s due to a grid issue affecting London. Despite this setback, Nscale and Microsoft continue to collaborate on projects in Norway, Portugal, and the United States. The Loughton site, when completed, is expected to generate 250 permanent jobs.",
  "summary": "Tech firm Nscale says it is still committed to building the site in Essex.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}