OpenAI to launch first European AI data centre in Norway
OpenAI revealed plans on Thursday to establish its first AI data centre in Europe, located in Norway.
The project, named Stargate Norway, will be a joint venture with British AI cloud provider Nscale and Norwegian energy firm Aker.
The data centre, announced through a press release, is set to be built in a partnership, where Nscale will handle the design and construction of the site, with OpenAI serving as an "off-taker," purchasing capacity from the centre.
This move comes as Europe pushes forward in its efforts to gain AI sovereignty and invest in infrastructure that can support the growing demand for computing power, as reported by Tech Crunch.
Stargate Norway will be situated in Narvik, northern Norway, an area chosen for its access to renewable hydropower, cool temperatures, and a strong industrial foundation.
Nscale, Aker ASA, and OpenAI are launching Stargate Norway, an NVIDIA GPU AI gigafactory in Narvik, Northern Norway.
Powered by 100% renewable energy, the facility will provide secure and scalable infrastructure for sovereign AI workloads, with plans to support up to 100,000… pic.twitter.com/AV02oUZcLYThe data centre will run entirely on renewable energy and incorporate advanced cooling systems to maintain optimal performance.
In terms of capacity, the data centre will begin with a 230-megawatt (MW) output, increasing to 290 MW by 2026. OpenAI expects to run the facility using 100,000 Nvidia GPUs by that time, marking a major step in the company's AI infrastructure expansion.
The project aligns with Europe's growing interest in developing local AI capabilities while ensuring data sovereignty. Nscale and Aker have committed around $1 billion to the initial phase, with plans to expand and support the wider European AI ecosystem, including startups and research institutions.
As part of the EU’s focus on energy efficiency and transparency, OpenAI is committed to complying with regulations that emphasise sustainable practices in AI infrastructure.
OpenAI to launch AI data center in Norway, its first in Europe | TechCrunch https://t.co/4CKXnU7hoR
Excess heat from the GPUs will be redirected to support low-carbon enterprises in the region, further demonstrating the facility’s environmentally conscious design.
This announcement follows a series of OpenAI’s global investments, including plans for AI infrastructure in the United States, the UAE, and the UK.
The Stargate Norway project marks a significant step towards reinforcing Europe's role in the global AI landscape.