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Thu, 09 Apr 2026

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 OpenAI pauses UK data centre deal over energy costs and regulation

The project was part of a package of tech investment promising the UK could become an AI superpower.
OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, has put its multi-billion pound UK data centre project on hold due to concerns over high energy costs and regulatory issues. The Stargate UK project was part of a wider £31bn package of UK tech investment aimed at boosting the country's AI infrastructure. OpenAI has stated that it will only move forward with the project when "the right conditions" are in place, including stable regulation and affordable energy costs. The company had previously announced plans to strengthen the UK's "sovereign compute capabilities" and bolster native AI development. However, despite its ambitious goals, OpenAI has expressed concerns about the UK's regulatory environment and energy prices, which it sees as a hindrance to long-term infrastructure investment.