OpenAI has launched “Stargate Norway,” its first AI data center in Europe, partnering with British cloud provider Nscale and Norwegian energy firm Aker. Located near Narvik, the project aims to enhance Europe’s “AI sovereignty,” featuring a 50/50 joint venture between Nscale and Aker. OpenAI will act as the off-taker, committing approximately $1 billion for the initial 20-megawatt (MW) phase. Stargate Norway plans to deliver an initial capacity of 230 MW, expanding to 290 MW by the end of 2026, housing 100,000 Nvidia GPUs. The facility prioritizes sustainability, leveraging Norway’s hydropower, cool climate, and industrial infrastructure. It will operate entirely on renewable energy and employ closed-loop liquid cooling, aligning with the EU’s Energy Efficiency Directive. While not directly funded by the EU’s AI investment initiative, the project supports the continent’s goals for AI development. This follows OpenAI’s earlier $500 billion investment plan in U.S. AI infrastructure.
Source link
