OpenAI has announced the launch of its first European AI data centre, "Stargate Norway," located in Narvik, Northern Norway. This significant initiative, a collaboration with Norwegian partners Nscale Global Holdings and Aker ASA, aims to provide substantial AI computing power powered entirely by renewable energy.
A New European AI Hub
OpenAI's "Stargate Norway" project marks a major step in the company's global expansion, establishing its inaugural European data centre. The facility, situated in Kvandal near Narvik, is strategically chosen for its abundant renewable energy resources, specifically hydropower, and favourable climate conditions. This location also benefits from lower electricity prices compared to the European average and existing industrial infrastructure, making it ideal for large-scale AI operations.
Key Takeaways
European Expansion: Stargate Norway is OpenAI's first major data centre initiative on the European continent.
Renewable Power: The facility will be entirely powered by renewable energy sources, primarily hydropower.
Significant Capacity: The project aims to deliver 100,000 NVIDIA GPUs by the end of 2026, with an initial capacity of 230 megawatts and plans to expand by an additional 290 megawatts.
Strategic Partnership: The initiative is a collaboration between OpenAI, data centre company Nscale Global Holdings, and Norwegian investor Aker ASA.
Economic Impact: The project is expected to create jobs and foster AI research and development within the Narvik region and Northern Norway.
Ambitious Infrastructure and Investment
Nscale Global Holdings will lead the design and construction of the facility, leveraging its expertise in sovereign-grade AI infrastructure. The data centre will be jointly owned by Nscale and Aker ASA through a 50/50 joint venture. The initial phase of the project involves an investment of approximately $1 billion, with both Nscale and Aker contributing equally. The site has the potential to scale tenfold in future phases as customer demand grows.
Commitment to Sustainability and AI Growth
Sustainability is a core principle of Stargate Norway. The facility will operate exclusively on renewable power and incorporate advanced cooling technologies, such as closed-loop, direct-to-chip liquid cooling, to maximise efficiency. Excess heat generated by the GPU systems will be made available to support local low-carbon enterprises. As OpenAI customers, Nscale and Aker will gain local access to advanced AI models and services. The project also aims to provide priority access to Norway's AI ecosystem for local startups and researchers, and surplus capacity will be offered to users across the UK, Nordics, and Northern Europe, thereby supporting the broader development of Europe's AI capabilities.
Sources
Nscale, Aker ASA and OpenAI to establish Stargate Norway, Yahoo Finance.
