A major datacentre project, once hailed as the UK's largest AI supercomputer, is now facing significant delays. Originally scheduled to launch in 2027, the Loughton site in Essex may now not be operational until the mid-2030s, due to challenges in securing enough power. The project was announced in 2025 as a key part of the UK's AI strategy and was described as a "sovereign AI datacentre," meaning it would be owned and operated within the UK to support national AI capabilities. However, power supply issues have emerged as a major obstacle. The datacentre, being built by a UK-based startup called Nscale, is part of a larger plan to raise $35 billion (£26 billion) through a public stock offering. However, UK Power Networks (UKPN), the company responsible for connecting the site to the local electricity grid, has told Nscale that the grid cannot supply enough power to the datacentre until the early to mid-2030s. This delay was first reported by an AI industry newsletter called Morning Intelligence. Nscale has said it remains committed to the project but acknowledges that power supply challenges are a growing concern for datacentre developers across the country. The site in Loughton was previously a scaffolding yard, but Nscale has now cleared it and is exploring options to generate power on-site or expedite the connection process. The UK government had highlighted the Loughton project as a cornerstone of its AI strategy, emphasizing its potential to support AI technologies like chatbots. However, the project is now emblematic of a broader issue: the energy grid is struggling to keep up with the demand from datacentres. Energy regulator Ofgem has warned of a backlog in electricity connection applications, with 315 datacentres currently waiting to connect to the National Grid. These datacentres require a total of 73 gigawatts (GW) of power, which is more than the peak energy demand of the entire UK (45 GW). The Loughton site alone is seeking up to 90 megawatts (MW) of power, equivalent to the energy used by about 315,000 homes. UKPN has declined to comment on specific projects, but a spokesperson noted that large-scale datacentres often require modifications to the National Grid itself before they can operate. National Grid has stated it is working with regulators and other stakeholders to identify ways to speed up connections and support economic growth.