OpenAI greenlights £1.8bn UK data centre — and Cornwall is the surprise winner
Decision ends an 18-month bidding war between five British regions.
OpenAI has confirmed that its largest ever European data centre will be built in Cornwall, ending an 18-month bidding war that saw aggressive lobbying from Scotland, Wales, the North East and Greater Manchester.
The £1.8 billion facility, to be powered primarily by offshore wind and tidal energy, will employ around 700 people directly and is expected to support a further 2,400 jobs in the local supply chain.
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The decision is being celebrated locally but has surprised analysts, who had expected the project to favour a region with better existing fibre infrastructure.
Why Cornwall?
OpenAI's chief operating officer cited 'the combination of renewable energy, cool climate and genuine political alignment from day one' as decisive factors.
Construction is expected to begin in early 2027, with the first racks coming online in 2029.
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