OpenAI Skipped Stargate UK Site as £20 Billion of £30 Billion Pledge Proved Hypothetical
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jul 4
OpenAI Skipped Stargate UK Site as £20 Billion of £30 Billion Pledge Proved Hypothetical
1 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jul 4
Summary
FOI records reviewed by the Guardian show OpenAI never visited Stargate UK's key North Tyneside site, while local authorities recorded only Nvidia attending a meeting there in February 2026.
The disclosure undercuts a project the UK touted as a major AI partnership after plans were paused in April over regulation and high energy costs.
Of the £30 billion investment promoted for the AI growth zone, £10 billion was tied to Blackstone's separate datacentre project, while the remaining £20 billion was described by the government only as the amount the site would need.
Local officials said Stargate UK was announced without prior coordination and lacked basics including grid connection and supporting infrastructure, casting doubt on whether the datacentre will reach North Tyneside.
The findings deepen scrutiny of UK AI investment announcements made around Donald Trump's 2025 London visit, suggesting Stargate UK was more political showcase than executable project.