Nscale AI Campus Loughton data center, Loughton, England

Nscale's planned two billion pound AI data center in Loughton, in Epping Forest district, Essex, has full planning permission, but the 90 megawatt grid connection it needs will not be ready in time for the planned 2027 opening. Nscale has held talks with Bloom Energy about using solid oxide fuel cells that burn natural gas to power the site until the connection arrives, Data Centre Review reported in July 2026.

Epping Forest District Council granted planning permission in June 2026 despite objections from town councillors, local committees and residents, after Investment Minister Lord Stockwood wrote to the council's chief executive that "this Government is keen to see the successful delivery of this site." Loughton Town Council's planning officers had asked for a fresh application, since the building Nscale wants is about half again as large as the one already permitted, and wanted independent proof that the power draw would not strain the grid or raise bills.

The site is meant to hold tens of thousands of Nvidia processors for Microsoft, which the companies say will make it the largest AI supercomputer in the UK, supporting 500 construction jobs and up to 250 permanent ones. Nscale has pushed the expected completion from late 2026 to early 2027, saying it needs time to upgrade hardware, and the timetable now depends on when enough electricity can reach the site.