OpenAI is set to establish its first major European artificial intelligence facility in northern Norway, in collaboration with Aker ASA and Nscale Global Holdings. The ambitious project, named Stargate Norway, marks a significant investment in European AI infrastructure and underscores a growing global demand for high-powered, sustainable data processing capabilities.
The initial phase of the project will see an investment of approximately $1 billion. Stargate Norway is designed to house and operate 100,000 Nvidia processors by the end of 2026, making it one of the most advanced AI computing hubs in Europe. These processors will be Nvidia’s powerful GB300 Superchips, interconnected through the high-speed NVLink network, ensuring rapid and efficient data handling.
Situated in a hydropower-rich region, the facility will run entirely on renewable energy. With a projected power consumption of 230 megawatts (MW) in its first phase and a planned expansion of an additional 290 MW, Stargate Norway aims to balance high computing demand with sustainability. This approach supports both environmental goals and the strategic push for sovereign and scalable AI infrastructure in Europe.
The initiative follows a similar facility announced in the United Arab Emirates, making Stargate Norway the second major development under OpenAI’s Stargate programme. The goal is to provide local and secure access to OpenAI’s models and services, reducing latency and boosting data sovereignty in key regions.
Aker and Nscale will jointly own the Norwegian facility and also act as customers, benefiting from proximity to advanced AI services. The venture has the potential to expand tenfold in the future, setting the stage for Norway to become a central hub in Europe’s AI development landscape.
The launch of Stargate Norway signifies a turning point in the AI arms race in Europe. With its focus on sovereign infrastructure, sustainability, and high performance, the facility is poised to serve as a model for future AI gigafactories worldwide. The partnership positions Norway at the forefront of technological innovation and data infrastructure, signaling a strategic shift in where and how large-scale AI operations are hosted.
