In a major milestone for European AI infrastructure, OpenAI has announced the launch of Stargate Norway, its first AI data center initiative in Europe under the OpenAI for Countries program. This project represents a significant milestone in OpenAI’s mission to democratize the benefits of artificial intelligence through robust, regionally tailored infrastructure.

Stargate, OpenAI’s flagship infrastructure platform, plays a vital role in scaling access to AI technologies. With the launch of Stargate Norway, the company aims to deliver high-performance computing power across the continent, fueling innovation for developers, researchers, startups, and enterprises alike.

Why Norway?

Norway stands out as a prime location for AI infrastructure thanks to its vast renewable energy resources, cool climate, and industrial readiness. The Stargate Norway facility, located in Narvik, will be powered entirely by hydropower and will leverage advanced liquid cooling systems to maximize energy efficiency. The site will also recycle excess GPU heat to support local low-carbon industries, contributing to a greener digital future.

Massive Scale, Global Ambition

The facility is set to deliver 230 MW of capacity, with plans to expand to 520 MW, housing up to 100,000 NVIDIA GPUs by 2026. This makes it one of Europe’s most ambitious AI infrastructure projects to date. Stargate Norway will support both sovereign and commercial compute needs, with OpenAI as the initial anchor offtaker under a scalable agreement model.

Strategic Partnerships

The initiative is being delivered through a joint venture between Nscale, a leading AI infrastructure builder with a strong European and North American presence, and Aker, a Norwegian industrial pioneer. Together, they bring technical expertise and a legacy of energy innovation to the project.

Empowering Europe’s AI Ecosystem

ChatGPT usage in Norway has quadrupled over the past year, especially among users under 35. Stargate Norway will ensure that this growing community, including thousands of developers, has priority access to cutting-edge compute power. Surplus capacity will serve public and private sector needs across Northern Europe, reinforcing the region’s digital sovereignty.

Driving AI Collaboration Across Europe

The launch follows similar initiatives like Stargate UAE and highlights OpenAI’s expanding collaboration with governments and institutions worldwide. Recent partnerships include.

• An MoU with the UK Government to accelerate AI infrastructure.
• A collaboration with the Estonian Government to bring ChatGPT to schools.
• Participation in the EU’s AI Gigafactories initiative to boost sovereign compute capabilities.

As part of the Norway initiative, OpenAI will also meet with policymakers to explore joint opportunities in AI deployment, governance, and national digital strategies.