Site near UK town chosen for major new AI data centre

The site will be more than 4.5 hectares in size.

As reported by Sky News, an AI data centre will be built on land controlled by Drax, an energy company who also operate a power station in the region.

The site will be the size of six football pitches, and according to the report, Drax announced that in building the site in North Yorkshire, they would be able to protect "hundreds of jobs."

The new data centre is being constructed as part of a major £20bn project that will also see Drax work in collaboration with Canadian multinational corporation Brookfield, as well AI infrastructure developer Radiant, and a subsidiary of the Qatar Investment Authority.

The group aim to have the first stage of the centre "operational" by early 2028.

It will run using energy from the national grid.

Drax have said they will begin a consultation with local residents over plans for the centre in coming weeks.