NScale, OpenAI and Aker Launch Stargate Norway Project

After the Stargate UAE, OpenAI has launched Stargate Norway project, an advanced AI infrastructure project, in Northern Norway along with global AI infrastructure provider Nscale Global Holdings Ltd (Nscale) and Aker ASA (Aker), an industrial investment company headquartered in Fornebu in Norway.

Powered entirely by renewable energy, the facility will target to deliver 100,000 NVIDIA GPUs by the end of 2026, with ambitions to scale significantly in the years ahead.

Stargate Norway will be designed to provide secure, scalable, and energy-efficient infrastructure for sovereign AI workloads across Europe, fully aligned with European regulatory frameworks.

Stargate Norway is planned to deliver 230 MW of capacity, with ambitions to expand by an additional 290 MW, positioning it among the most significant AI infrastructure investments in Europe.

The project marks OpenAI’s first data centre initiative on the continent and the inaugural European site under its “OpenAI for Countries” programme.

The facility will be located in Kvandal, just outside Narvik, a region characterised by rich hydropower, low local electricity demand, and limited transmission capacity. These conditions result in power prices well below the European average, complemented by a cool climate and established industrial infrastructure, making Narvik an ideal location for large-scale data operations. 

Stargate Norway is projected to generate significant activity and a long-term operational presence in the Narvik region. The project will also collaborate with local and regional academic institutions to advance AI research and development, supporting the growth of regional expertise and innovation in Northern Norway.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said that Europe needs more compute to realise the full potential of AI for all Europeans, right from developers and researchers to start-ups and scientists, and he wants to help make that happen.

“I have always said we would love to bring Stargate to Europe if the conditions are right, and we think we have found that in Narvik with clean, affordable energy, ideal climate, and great partners in Nscale and Aker. Stargate Norway will help provide the compute power to drive the next wave of AI breakthroughs and economic progress for Europe, in Europe,” he added.

Strategic Milestone

NScale CEO Josh Payne said that announcing Stargate Norway and delivering one of the first European AI Gigafactory to market is a strategic milestone for the region and boosts its role in the global AI landscape.

“Sovereign, scalable and sustainable infrastructure is now essential to remain competitive. We are proud to partner with Aker, drawing on the team’s extensive experience and impressive track record, to deliver a new generation of AI economic and productivity growth in Europe. Together, we are combining OpenAI’s leading models with Nscale’s vertically integrated AI cloud, to provide the sustainable infrastructure necessary to support public benefit, build industrial resilience and enable long-term regional innovation,” Payne added.

‍

Nscale and Aker have committed approximately $1 billion to the initial 20 MW phase of the project, including upwards of $250 million in equity on a 100% basis, where each partner will contribute equally.

The Kvandal site alone has the potential to scale tenfold in future phases as customer contracts are secured. OpenAI welcomes the opportunity to be an initial offtaker with the option to scale over time under its “OpenAI for Countries” programme.

Øyvind Eriksen, President & CEO of Aker, said that “Norway has a history of turning clean, renewable energy into industrial value, powering global industries like aluminium and fertiliser.

“With Stargate Norway, we are creating new jobs, activity, and long-term opportunities in Narvik and the region. For Aker, this is a natural evolution of our industrial platform. As data centres shift from cost centres to value-generating assets, Norway’s energy advantage becomes a catalyst for the next generation of digital industry. We’re proud to help drive this development alongside Nscale, OpenAI, and local stakeholders,” he added.