{
  "id": 15550674,
  "title": "Microsoft pulls out of UK’s largest AI data centre",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/19/microsoft-pulls-out-of-uks-largest-ai-data-centre",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-10-19T02:35:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/microsoft-pulls-out-of-uks-largest-ai-data-centre/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Microsoft has abandoned its involvement in the UK's largest AI data centre project in Loughton, Essex, despite committing £2bn towards its construction. The data centre, originally planned for completion by the end of the year, will now see its power supply commissioned in the 2030s. Nscale, the company responsible for building the facility, announced last year that it would explore alternative power sources. Although the company maintains that its relationship with Microsoft remains strong, it is exploring opportunities for collaboration beyond this specific project. Nscale and Microsoft are still working together on other projects in Norway, Portugal, and the United States. The Loughton site is anticipated to generate 250 permanent jobs upon its eventual opening.",
  "summary": "A tech company has said it still plans to build the UK's largest AI data centre despite Microsoft's withdrawal from the project.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Joy Business",
        "title": "Microsoft pulls out of UK’s largest AI data centre",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/19/microsoft-pulls-out-of-uks-largest-ai-data-centre-15556615",
        "published": "2026-10-19T02:35:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}