OpenAI has partnered with Norwegian firms Nscale and Aker to launch Europe’s most ambitious sustainable AI infrastructure project: the Stargate Norway facility in Narvik. Powered entirely by renewable energy and equipped with 100,000 NVIDIA H100 GPUs, this $1.2B venture positions Scandinavia as a nexus for energy-efficient AI development while addressing growing demands for sovereign cloud solutions.
Next-Gen Compute Meets Arctic Sustainability
The 230MW initial-phase data center leverages Norway’s hydroelectric power grid and subarctic cooling advantages to slash AI’s environmental footprint. Key technical specs include:
- Scale: Equivalent to 15% of global AI chip supply through 2023
- Performance: ~34 exaflops combined compute
- Architecture: Custom cooling systems using fjord seawater
Source: Pexels Image
Europe’s AI Sovereignty Play
As Aker’s announcement confirms, Stargate Norway represents the first implementation of OpenAI’s “for Countries” program – designed to keep sensitive AI workloads within regional jurisdictions. The facility aligns with EU AI Act requirements through localized data governance and Norway’s 97% renewable energy grid compliance.
Industry Impact and Future Roadmap
This collaboration signals three strategic shifts:
- Cloud providers prioritizing energy-efficient regions over traditional hubs
- Growing private-sector support for national AI infrastructure
- Tightening integration between compute supply chains and green policy
Plans for a 290MW expansion could make Stargate one of the five largest data centers globally, with analysts at Janus Henderson projecting increased EU investments in “climate-positive AI” following the model. However, concerns persist about resource concentration; Norway’s energy regulator notes the full buildout would consume 2% of national electricity production.
As OpenAI diversifies beyond U.S. infrastructure through partnerships like Stargate Norway, the project sets benchmarks for balancing AI scaling with climate goals. Success here could reshape how nations approach strategic compute investments in the post-CHIPS Act era.
