{
  "id": 15576480,
  "title": "Microsoft pulls out of Nscale deal for UK’s largest AI data centre",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/19/microsoft-pulls-out-of-nscale-deal-for-uks-largest-ai-data-centre",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-10-19T06:33:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "City AM",
    "slug": "city-am",
    "url": "https://www.cityam.com/microsoft-pulls-out-of-nscale-deal-for-uks-largest-ai-data-centre/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Microsoft has abandoned plans to build the UK's largest AI data centre in a partnership with Nscale. The global technology company had previously planned to fund a supercomputer at the site, but has now ended its involvement, leaving Nscale searching for alternative power resources. The facility, initially announced in 2023, was to be built and opened in Loughton, Essex, with the government backing the project in its 2025 AI strategy. Microsoft, seen as the anchor tenant for the centre, pulled out due to concerns about power supplies. Despite the withdrawal, Nscale stated that its relationship with Microsoft remains strong and long-term. Nscale, founded in London and backed by tech giants like Nvidia, aims to become Britain's \"sovereign\" datacentre. The company is set to list on the New York Stock Exchange with a potential valuation of up to $35bn. This loss of a major player comes at a crucial time for Nscale as it prepares for its highly anticipated listing.",
  "summary": "Microsoft has pulled out of plans to build the UK’s largest AI data centre in a deal with Nscale. The global tech giant, which had previously planned to fund a supercomputer at the site, has ended its involvement in the partnership leaving Nscale scouting for alternative power resources. Plans were first announced last year, with [...]",
  "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."
}