OpenAI Halts UK Stargate Project, Unraveling September 2025 Investment Pledge

OpenAI paused its Stargate UK datacentre project in April 2026, abandoning the anchor of the government's record £150 billion investment narrative from Trump's September 2025 state visit. The company cited unfavorable regulation and high energy costs. A Freedom of Information request reveals neither OpenAI nor partner Nscale ever visited the designated North Tyneside site before announcement, and £20 billion of the £30 billion touted was hypothetical.