OpenAI's Stargate Norway: EU's Largest AI Gigafactory Set to Boost Regional AI Landscape

OpenAI is launching Stargate Norway, an AI data center in Northern Norway, under its "OpenAI for Countries" program. The site will house 100,000 Nvidia GPUs and 230MW of renewable data center capacity, backed by Nscale Global Holdings, Aker, and OpenAI. The facility will be powered by abundant local hydropower and reuse waste heat to support low-carbon businesses. The project aims to support European researchers, developers, and startups while boosting Norway's role in the global AI landscape.

OpenAI has announced its plans to establish its first European artificial intelligence (AI) data center in Narvik, Norway, as part of its global Stargate initiative. The facility, known as Stargate Norway, will house up to 100,000 Nvidia GPUs and have an initial capacity of 230 megawatts (MW) of renewable data center capacity. The project is being developed in partnership with Nscale Global Holdings and Aker, with the site expected to be operational by the end of 2026 [3].

The strategic location of Narvik, above the Arctic Circle, offers abundant renewable hydropower and naturally cool conditions, making it ideal for large-scale data operations. The facility will be powered entirely by renewable energy, with advanced cooling systems and heat recycling planned. Surplus heat will be earmarked for local low-impact businesses, contributing to the project's sustainability goals [3].

Stargate Norway aims to support European researchers, developers, and startups by providing priority access to the AI ecosystem. Any remaining computing capacity will be made available to public and private actors in the Nordic region, the United Kingdom, and Northern Europe [3]. This initiative aligns with broader AI Gigafactories strategies to bolster digital autonomy and resilience in Europe [3].

The project's partnership with Nscale Global Holdings and Aker underscores the collaboration between technology providers and industrial groups to advance AI infrastructure. Nscale, a European cloud provider, and Aker, a Norwegian industrial group, will bring their expertise to the table, contributing to the development and operation of the data center [3].

Stargate Norway is part of a larger global Stargate network, which aims to invest up to €460 billion over four years in frontier AI infrastructure. The initiative is closely linked to OpenAI for Countries, a framework designed to help governments build localized AI capabilities and data centers [3]. The project's focus on sustainability and regional integration could make it a cornerstone of Europe's high-performance AI infrastructure in the years ahead.

References:
[1] https://www.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/softbank-and-hon-hai-partner-on-ai-server-plant-for-stargate-venture-93CH-4197011
[2] https://sherepricetarget.com/nvidia-nvda-4-3-billion-portfolio-coreweave-crwv-and-arm-holdings-arm-dominate-treasury-strategy/
[3] https://www.nordiskbil.com/openai-first-european-data-center-narvik-norway/