OpenAI has unveiled plans for its first European AI data center, Stargate Norway, through a collaboration with British AI cloud provider Nscale and Norwegian energy firm Aker. Situated near Narvik in northern Norway, this venture supports Europe’s push for AI sovereignty and the development of self-reliant digital infrastructure across the continent.
The data center will be developed and operated by Nscale and Aker in a 50/50 joint venture, with OpenAI as a key off-taker securing capacity from the facility. The initial phase involves building a 20-megawatt (MW) data center backed by a $1 billion investment. Stargate Norway is set to deliver 230 MW of capacity at launch, with plans to expand to 290 MW by the end of 2026, ultimately housing up to 100,000 Nvidia GPUs.
The site was carefully chosen due to its abundant hydropower resources, cool climate, and well-established industrial infrastructure, enabling the center to operate with high energy efficiency and sustainability. The facility will be powered entirely by renewable energy and will use closed-loop liquid cooling systems to minimize environmental impact. In a notable green initiative, waste heat generated by the data center will be repurposed to support nearby low-carbon industries, aligning with the EU Energy Efficiency Directive.
While Stargate Norway is not directly part of the European Union’s €30 billion AI infrastructure program, it complements the EU’s broader goal to enhance domestic AI capabilities and infrastructure.
This European expansion follows OpenAI’s earlier announcement of a massive $500 billion plan to build a 10-gigawatt AI infrastructure in the United States and the launch of Stargate UAE in the Middle East. Together, these projects mark OpenAI’s strategic effort to scale AI computing power globally while promoting sustainability and regional technological autonomy.
