OpenAI Announces First European AI Data Center in Norway
OpenAI reveals plans for its first European AI data center in Norway, emphasizing scale and sustainability.
Key Points
- • OpenAI to launch Stargate Norway, its first European AI data center, in partnership with Nscale and Aker.
- • Data center will utilize 100,000 Nvidia GPUs and initially provide 230 MW of power, expandable to 290 MW.
- • The entire facility will operate on renewable energy, adhering to European data regulations.
- • The project is backed by $1 billion investment from partners, highlighting a significant commitment to AI infrastructure in Europe.
OpenAI has officially unveiled plans to establish its first artificial intelligence data center in Europe, named Stargate Norway, through a joint venture with local companies Nscale and Aker. Announced on July 31, 2025, this project indicates a significant step in OpenAI's expansion strategy within the European market.
The new data center will be located in Kvandal, near Narvik, Norway, an area chosen for its access to renewable hydropower and a cool climate, which are ideal for running energy-intensive computing operations. This facility is set to initially deliver 230 megawatts (MW) of power, with plans for future expansion to 290 MW. By the end of 2026, the center will utilize approximately 100,000 Nvidia GPUs to bolster OpenAI's computing capacity, which is crucial for enhancing its AI services in Europe.
OpenAI’s partnership with Nscale and Aker involves each party investing roughly $1 billion in the project's initial phase, which represents a commitment to not only provide computing power but also to support Europe's push for data sovereignty. Nscale CEO Josh Payne highlighted the project’s importance in addressing the fragmented AI landscape in Europe, stating, "This initiative is key to providing the computing infrastructure necessary for AI development in the region."
The initiative is timely, aligning with the European Union's efforts to bolster its AI capabilities, where investments have recently surpassed several billion euros for AI infrastructure, including plans for 13 new AI factories. Furthermore, the EU AI Act, set to come into force in August 2024, mandates environmentally friendly practices for data centers, which OpenAI's facility will comply with by operating fully on renewable energy and implementing advanced cooling technologies. This includes closed-loop, direct-to-chip liquid cooling, and utilizing any excess heat for local low-carbon enterprises.
OpenAI's move into Norway further demonstrates the company's strategic focus on enhancing service delivery across Europe while satisfying regulatory compliance with local data laws. This announcement follows OpenAI's earlier commitment of $500 billion for AI infrastructure growth in the U.S., suggesting an aggressive global expansion strategy for the company.