Drax, Brookfield and Radiant plan UK data-center campus

Drax, Brookfield and Radiant have signed an agreement to develop and operate an AI data center at Drax Power Station in North Yorkshire. The companies say the initial phase could provide up to 100 megawatts of compute capacity, with up to £2.5 billion in backing through Brookfield and Qai’s AI-infrastructure joint venture.

The partners target commercial operations for the first quarter of 2028. The first phase would draw electricity from the grid through infrastructure already at the site, with Drax managing power and Radiant leading design, customer engagement and commercialization. The regulated project announcement says the phase remains conditional on planning, regulatory and network approvals, a suitable tenant, commercial agreements and final investment decisions.

The wider proposal is not a single committed buildout. The regulated announcement describes a second-phase ambition to add 500 MW between 2028 and 2031 through a behind-the-meter arrangement and long-term power-purchase agreement. A third phase could add capacity after 2031. Drax says the three phases together could reach gigawatt scale.

Brookfield estimates that investment across the full development could exceed £20 billion, including semiconductor chips. The estimate does not represent financing committed to the entire project. Brookfield and Qai formed a separate $20 billion AI-infrastructure venture in December 2025 for Qatar and selected international markets. Qai is a subsidiary of Qatar Investment Authority.

Drax and Brookfield executives said the development could preserve hundreds of existing jobs and create additional direct and indirect employment in Yorkshire, but they disclosed no total for new jobs. The partners also expect to establish a voluntary community benefits fund through local consultation. Drax said it was preparing the first-phase planning application and expected public consultation to begin in November 2026.