Drax plans 1.2GW datacentre that could emit twice Gatwick's 2024 CO2 output

Drax’s proposed 1.2GW datacentre would burn 4.9 million tonnes of wood annually, generating 8.6 million tonnes of CO₂, which is almost double the 4.79 million tonnes of CO₂ emitted by Gatwick Airport flights in 2024.

The facility would obtain 100 MW of electricity from the grid while the remaining power would come from Drax’s own power station, and it has not yet entered the formal planning process but could be fully operational by 2031 if consents are secured.