OpenAI is set to launch its first European data centre under the Stargate programme, partnering with developer Nscale Global Holdings and Norwegian investment firm Aker ASA to establish a $1 billion facility in Norway, the companies announced on Thursday.
The initiative, named Stargate Norway, will be located near Narvik in the country’s north and will initially house 100,000 Nvidia processors, with plans for a tenfold expansion in future phases to meet rising demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure.
This marks the first Stargate project in Europe, following the recently unveiled Stargate UAE in the United Arab Emirates. The Norwegian data centre will be fully powered by renewable energy sourced from local hydropower, the companies confirmed.
“This kind of infrastructure is essential and will unlock huge potential for developers, researchers, scientists, and startups throughout Norway and Europe,” said OpenAI CEO Sam Altman in a video message.
Shares in Aker ASA climbed 11% to a two-year high of 729 Norwegian crowns before easing to 717 crowns by early afternoon. Aker and Nscale will each hold a 50% stake in Stargate Norway, with a combined initial investment of $1 billion. The facility is expected to consume around 20 megawatts of electricity in its first phase, with OpenAI as its inaugural client.
Aker noted it is collaborating with local energy provider Nordkraft to ensure sufficient power supply for future expansions, targeting an increase in usage to 230 MW, and potentially an additional 290 MW in later stages.
An Aker spokesperson declined to provide further details on the total investment or a timeline for the future capacity increase.
The data centre will operate using Nvidia’s state-of-the-art GB300 Superchip processors, connected through the company’s high-speed NVLink network, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said in the presentation.
Nscale CEO Josh Payne added that the facility would be among Europe’s first AI gigafactories.
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