31.07.2025 07:48

OpenAI, the innovative artificial intelligence company helmed by Sam Altman, is significantly expanding its European footprint. This expansion will involve the construction of a state-of-the-art data center in Norway, a project dubbed "Stargate."

This ambitious undertaking will harness the power of renewable energy sources, utilizing an initial 230 megawatts (MW) of hydroelectric power and subsequently scaling up to a total capacity of 520 MW. The strategic location in Kvandal, a town near Narvik in Northern Norway, was chosen for its unique combination of geographical isolation and access to abundant, inexpensive renewable energy.

The Stargate project is a collaborative effort, bringing together OpenAI, Nscale Global Holdings Ltd., and Aker ASA, a Norwegian partner. A joint venture between Nscale and Aker will own and operate this facility, which will become a vital hub for AI workloads. NVIDIA Europe is also a key collaborator, contributing expertise and technology to ensure high uptime and efficiency for the data center's AI tasks.

Furthermore, the data center will actively foster collaboration with local academic institutions, fostering research and development opportunities within the region. This partnership underscores the data center’s commitment to integration with the local Norwegian community and its academic landscape.

The selection of Norway reflects a global trend towards leveraging sustainable energy sources in high-energy-consuming industries. Josh Payne, CEO of Nscale, highlighted the project as a significant achievement, proclaiming that "Stargate Norway" represents a pivotal step in establishing Europe as a leading player in the global AI landscape, underscoring the importance of sovereign, scalable, and sustainable infrastructure. This strategic move positions Europe competitively in the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence, even as consumer adoption lags behind in some sectors.