OpenAI Introduces Stargate Norway AI Data Center

OpenAI has launched Stargate Norway, the first European initiative under the "OpenAI for Countries" program, to establish large-scale AI compute capacity in Narvik, Norway. This infrastructure project aims to support developers, researchers, and startups across Europe by providing the compute power necessary to drive economic growth and productivity.

Infrastructure Scale and GPU Capacity

Stargate Norway is designed to provide massive compute capacity to the European AI ecosystem, with a target of delivering 100,000 NVIDIA GPUs by the end of 2026. The facility is planned to start with 230MW of capacity, with ambitions to expand by an additional 290MW. OpenAI will serve as an initial offtaker with the option to scale its usage over time.

Strategic Partnerships and Ownership

The project is a collaboration between OpenAI and two primary partners:

• Nscale: An AI infrastructure provider responsible for the design and construction of the site.
• Aker: An industrial and energy company with a century-long legacy.

The facility is expected to be owned by a 50/50 joint venture between Nscale and Aker.

Sustainability and Technical Specifications

Located in Narvik, the data center leverages the region's cool climate and abundant hydropower to ensure sustainable operations. Key technical and environmental features include:

• Renewable Energy: The facility will run entirely on renewable power.
• Cooling Efficiency: The site will incorporate closed-loop, direct-to-chip liquid cooling to maximize efficiency.
• Heat Recovery: Excess heat generated by the GPU systems will be repurposed to support low-carbon enterprises in the surrounding region.

Regional Impact and Access

Stargate Norway is intended to bolster the sovereign AI goals of Norway and the broader European ecosystem. Aker and Nscale will provide priority access to Norway's AI ecosystem, specifically targeting homegrown startups and scientific researchers. Any surplus capacity will be made available to public and private sector users across the Nordics, the UK, and Northern Europe.

Global Context and OpenAI for Countries

Stargate Norway follows the earlier launch of Stargate UAE and is part of a broader strategy to partner with governments and industrial leaders globally. This initiative aligns with other recent OpenAI efforts in Europe, including:

• A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the UK Government to accelerate AI adoption.
• A partnership with the Government of Estonia to deploy ChatGPT in secondary schools.
• Expressions of Interest to join consortiums under the EU's AI Gigafactories initiative.