OpenAI’s First European Data Center Set for Norway with Strategic Partnerships

OpenAI, the trailblazing AI organization helmed by Sam Altman, is expanding its horizons into Europe by unveiling plans for its inaugural data center in Norway, part of the ambitious Stargate initiative.

Short Summary:

• OpenAI announces its first European data center in Norway as part of the Stargate project.
• Collaborating with Nscale Global Holdings and Aker ASA, the facility aims to host 100,000 GPUs by 2026.
• The project emphasizes sustainability, utilizing renewable energy sources, particularly hydropower.

On July 31, 2025, OpenAI revealed that it is set to construct its first European data center, the Stargate Norway, located near Narvik, Northern Norway. This ambitious venture represents a significant investment of around $1 billion, achieved through a strategic partnership with Nscale Global Holdings and Aker ASA. As OpenAI forges its path in Europe, this data center is poised to become a cornerstone of AI capability across the continent.

At the core of the Stargate project is a commitment to sustainability and efficiency. The new facility will be powered entirely by renewable energy harnessed from local hydropower production. This not only aligns with OpenAI’s ongoing initiative to promote green energy but also positions Norway as a strategic player in the global AI landscape, particularly in terms of energy-efficient operations. As Øyvind Eriksen, President & CEO of Aker, noted, “Today, artificial intelligence and advanced data operations represent the next wave of value creation.”

“Norway has a proud history of turning clean, renewable energy into industrial value,” Øyvind Eriksen remarked, highlighting Norway’s rich natural resources. “With Stargate Norway, we’re creating new jobs, activity, and long-term opportunities in Narvik and the region.”

The facility aims to deliver a remarkable initial capacity of 230 megawatts (MW) with the potential to expand capacity by an additional 290 MW in the future. This configuration aims to support the installation of up to 100,000 NVIDIA GPUs, as outlined by OpenAI’s plans to bolster the computational landscape of Europe. The choice of Narvik, with its established industrial infrastructure and cool climate, plays a pivotal role in mitigating cooling costs — a critical factor in data center operations. The location, characterized by low local electricity demand, ensures competitive power prices compared to the rest of Europe.

The Growing Demand for AI Infrastructure

The decision to invest in this facility reflects a broader trend where American tech companies are expanding their data center operations into Northern Europe. Companies like Groq, an AI chip developer, have already set up shop in the region, exemplifying the increasing demand for fast and scalable AI inference in Europe.

In his remarks, Sam Altman, OpenAI’s CEO, stated, “Europe needs more compute to realize the full potential of AI for all Europeans — from developers and researchers to startups and scientists. Stargate Norway will help provide the compute power to drive the next wave of AI breakthroughs and economic progress for Europe, in Europe.” This sentiment underscores the balance between technological advancement and regional development.

“Infrastructure like this is really important and unlocks a ton of potential for developers, researchers, scientists, and startups all across Norway and Europe,” Altman articulated, reflecting on the far-reaching implications of such initiatives.

Collaboration with Industry Leaders

Stargate Norway signifies a multifaceted collaboration, particularly with pioneering partners like Nscale Global Holdings and Oracle. The partnership promises to integrate advanced technologies, with the facility leveraging NVIDIA’s GB300 Superchip processors and NVLink network technology. Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA, emphasized the critical nature of infrastructure in AI growth, stating, “Sovereign, scalable, and sustainable infrastructure is now essential to remain competitive.” This underscores the importance of the cooperative federalism between tech companies to realize a shared vision for a robust AI future.

In conjunction with this project, Oracle is also diversifying its investments in new data centers across various U.S. states, ensuring that OpenAI’s infrastructure components are well-equipped to meet the rising global demands of AI. This integrated strategy is indicative of a well-coordinated effort across continents to bolster AI capabilities, highlighting the importance of cross-border partnerships.

A Vision for the Future

Stargate Norway represents more than just a data center; it is part of OpenAI’s broader “OpenAI for Countries” initiative. This program aims to support nations in leveraging AI for public benefit while ensuring compliance with local regulations and fostering regional innovation. By situating its first European data center in Norway, OpenAI underscores its commitment to collaborative growth and advancement in the AI sector.

The impact of Stargate Norway will extend beyond commercial implications. There are opportunities for significant local and regional academic collaborations aimed at advancing artificial intelligence research and development. By engaging with educational institutions, the project promises to cultivate a thriving ecosystem of innovation in Northern Norway, contributing to a sustainable knowledge economy.

“We’re proud to partner with Aker, drawing on the team’s extensive experience and impressive track record, to deliver a new generation of AI economic and productivity growth in Europe,” Josh Payne, CEO of Nscale, remarked during the announcement. This collaboration is expected to fuel progress in developing the regional AI landscape, ultimately benefiting diverse stakeholders.

Commitment to Sustainability

A cornerstone of the Stargate Norway initiative is its dedication to sustainability. Operating on 100% renewable energy, the data center is also set to implement innovative cooling solutions. Plans to incorporate closed-loop, direct-to-chip liquid cooling technology aim to maximize cooling efficiency and minimize environmental impact. Additionally, excess heat produced by the GPU systems will be utilized to support low-carbon enterprises in the vicinity, thus embedding an ethos of sustainability throughout its operations.

The long-term goal is to create a sovereign and scalable AI infrastructure that not only meets the immediate needs of OpenAI’s clientele but also contributes to Europe’s broader AI ecosystem. Stakeholders such as Nscale and Aker will gain privileged access to AI models and services derived from this facility while also ensuring that local startups and academic researchers can leverage these world-class computational resources.

The Broader Framework of AI Development

As OpenAI continues to solidify its position within the global AI landscape, Stargate Norway is a testament to the progressive trend of forging synergistic collaborations between tech giants and local industries. The initiative mirrors OpenAI’s engagements with governments worldwide, establishing a robust framework for public-private partnerships aimed at fostering AI innovation. Recent agreements with the UK Government and Estonia highlight this expanding network of collaboration, aligned with the EU’s AI Gigafactories initiative.

With the ambitious scope of Stargate Norway and its subsequent phases, OpenAI is not just responding to current demands but also positioning itself as a key player in the forthcoming AI revolution. The Norwegian venture serves as both a localized solution to regional needs and a scalable model for global AI deployment.

Conclusion

OpenAI’s Stargate Norway embodies a pivotal shift towards creating a sustainable, sovereign, and scalable AI infrastructure in Europe. By collaborating with Nscale and Aker, the project aims to harness Norway’s renewable resource advantages, ensuring the provision of robust computational capabilities not just for today but well into the future. As companies continue to seek advanced AI solutions, initiatives like Stargate Norway will be crucial in shaping the evolution of technology and innovation. For those interested in exploring how emerging technologies intersect with writing, resources available at Autoblogging.ai can provide insights into AI-driven content creation.

This announcement marks a significant step forward not only for OpenAI but also for European AI aspirations, reinforcing the region’s standing as a vital hub for AI research, development, and application.