In their Data Centre Construction Cost Index, 2025-26, Turner & Townsend described 2025 as an inflection point for the industry, “where AI data centres move to centre stage”. A combination of political will, huge private investment and rapid AI deployment would, on the face of it, suggest that the UK is well placed to join the US as a global leader in the data centre gold rush. But will the headlines and ring-fenced billions really translate into spades in the ground in the months ahead? If not, what is holding back the UK on the delivery side? 

To answer this question, and to understand whether the UK can truly adopt a “build bigger, faster” approach, we must examine the UK’s structural challenges, the position in the US, and how UK plc might navigate those challenges.