Drax Unveils AI Data Centre Expansion at North Yorkshire Power Station
Drax announces a 1GW+ AI data centre at its North Yorkshire site, utilizing surplus biomass energy to fuel UK growth and digital infrastructure.
POLICY WIRE — North Yorkshire, UK — The energy leader Drax has officially disclosed its intentions to construct a large-scale artificial intelligence data centre at its existing power station site in North Yorkshire.
The project will occupy 4.5 hectares of land at the facility, which currently utilizes wood-based fuel for electricity generation.
On November 3, 2026, the FTSE 250 company confirmed a formal agreement with partners Brookfield and Radiant to manage the development, delivery, and operation of the AI capacity.
The initiative aims to provide more than 1GW of capacity, leveraging the surplus energy generated by the biomass plant.
Drax’s current operations rely heavily on wood pellets, supplemented by the use of straw and sunflower-derived pellets to produce reliable, low-carbon power.
This strategic move is designed to support the United Kingdom’s digital infrastructure while fostering local jobs and attracting new investment.
The proposal for the data centre was a core component of the broader AI Growth Zone bid, and Drax remains committed to proceeding with the build.
The company first proposed converting a portion of the Yorkshire biomass plant last year to address the surging global demand for AI processing capabilities.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
