Nvidia's H200 GPUs Make UK Debut as Ori Chooses Kao Data
The race to build AI infrastructure across Europe has intensified as demand for GPU computing capacity continues to outstrip supply. While hyperscale cloud providers have dominated headlines with major deployments across continental Europe, the UK market has faced challenges in attracting equivalent investment in specialised AI infrastructure.
Now, AI infrastructure provider Ori has chosen Kao Data’s Harlow campus for its inaugural UK-based cloud region, marking a significant step in the company’s European expansion strategy and representing the first installation of Nvidia’s H200 GPUs in the United Kingdom.
The timing coincides with increased government focus on establishing the UK as a competitive player in the global AI landscape. The partnership aims to strengthen the Cambridge-London UK Innovation Corridor as a hub for advanced computing resources, with Harlow emerging as a potential focal point for the government’s planned AI Growth Zones.
Ori’s choice of Kao Data’s facility supports a growing trend of specialised infrastructure providers focusing on high-density environments optimised specifically for AI workloads. The deployment features a substantial cluster of Nvidia’s H200 Tensor Core GPUs, with plans to introduce Nvidia’s GB200 architecture from April 2025.
Strategic partnership reinforces UK position in AI infrastructure development
The collaboration will enable Ori’s customers to access GPU clusters purpose-built for AI and deep learning applications, hosted within Kao Data’s industrial-scale facility powered by certified renewable energy.
“We are delighted to partner with Kao Data for our UK expansion, and its Harlow campus offers us the perfect mix of high-density data centre infrastructure, renewable energy, and close proximity to London and Cambridge’s thriving AI and tech ecosystems,” said Mahdi Yahya, Founder and CEO of Ori.
- 160MW: Total IT load in Kao Data's portfolio across facilities that are operational, under development or planned
- 100%: Percentage of certified renewable energy powering Kao Data's Harlow campus
- April 2025: Target date for Ori to introduce Nvidia's GB200 architecture for UK and international customers
“As demand for AI continues to surge, it was imperative to find a specialist data centre operator that understood AI and could support the scalability, performance and sustainability requirements of our GPU-powered cloud.”
The deployment at Kao Data’s Harlow campus marks a significant milestone in Ori’s European cloud expansion and reinforces Kao Data’s position as a leader in high-density colocation solutions for AI in the UK market.
Spencer Lamb, Chief Commercial Officer at Kao Data, commented on the partnership: “Ori’s decision to host their AI cloud infrastructure at our Harlow campus underscores our reputation as the key destination for AI and high-performance computing deployments in the UK.”
Government AI strategy aligns with private sector infrastructure investment
The UK Government’s AI Opportunities Action Plan aims to boost economic growth, provide future employment opportunities and improve society through increased AI adoption. The plan includes developing ‘AI Growth Zones’ across the country, with Ori's deployment at Kao Data reinforcing Harlow and the surrounding region as a prime location for future AI investment.
As demand for AI continues to surge, it was imperative to find a specialist data centre operator that understood AI and could support the scalability, performance and sustainability requirements of our GPU-powered cloud.
Kao Data operates facilities east and west of London and has plans for northern England’s largest data centre in Greater Manchester. Today, the company’s portfolio includes more than 160MW of IT load either operational, under development or planned.
The Harlow campus where Ori has deployed its infrastructure is Nvidia DGX-Ready certified, ensuring the facility meets specific requirements for hosting advanced AI systems. The company says the site’s high-density capabilities make it particularly suitable for AI workloads, which typically require greater power and cooling resources than conventional computing applications.
The partnership addresses growing demand for UK-based AI compute resources as organisations balance the need for performance with considerations around data residency, latency, and access to local technical expertise.
“Our partnership illustrates the continued need for the country to be investing in, supporting and hosting AI architectures, and showcases how the UK can continue to be a leader in the AI race by attracting and working with innovative, world-class startups,” Spencer says.
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