Major Artificial Intelligence Investment Launches in Northern Norway
Aker ASA, in partnership with Nscale Global Holdings and
OpenAI, is set to construct a groundbreaking artificial intelligence facility in northern Norway through a joint venture named Stargate Norway. The companies have announced an initial investment of approximately $1 billion, making it one of the most ambitious AI infrastructure projects in Europe to date[1][3].
Project Details: Stargate Norway
The Stargate Norway facility, located in Kvandal near Narvik, will:
- Be powered entirely by renewable energy, leveraging the region’s hydropower resources[1][3].
- Feature 100,000 NVIDIA processors by the end of 2026, using advanced GB300 Superchip technology interconnected via high-speed NVLink[1].
- Begin with 230 megawatts (MW) of electrical capacity, with planned expansion by another 290 MW in future phases[2][3].
- Incorporate closed-loop, direct-to-chip liquid cooling for maximal energy efficiency, making it one of Europe’s first “AI gigafactories”[3].
- Support low-carbon local enterprises by providing excess heat from GPU systems[3].
Access and Expansion
Aker and Nscale will jointly own the facility and provide priority capacity to Norway’s AI ecosystem, enabling homegrown AI startups and researchers to access cutting-edge compute resources. The facility will also make surplus capacity available to public and private users across the UK, the Nordics, and Northern Europe, supporting regional demand and accelerating AI development in Europe[3].
Alignment with OpenAI’s Global Strategy
Stargate Norway is part of
OpenAI’s Stargate program, which aims to deploy sovereign AI infrastructure around the globe. This project follows similar initiatives, such as Stargate UAE, and reflects OpenAI’s growing collaboration with governments and industry leaders[3].
Broader Impact on the AI Ecosystem
By investing in large-scale, sustainable, and sovereign AI infrastructure, Aker, Nscale, and OpenAI aim to:
- Ensure competitive, secure, and scalable AI infrastructure for Norway and Europe[1][3].
- Facilitate AI adoption and support sovereign AI strategies in alignment with Norway’s national interests[3].
- Accelerate research and innovation by offering new resources to startups, scientific communities, and the wider public sector[3].
Future Outlook
The Stargate Norway facility is expected to be operational by the end of 2026, with significant expansion potential in subsequent phases. Shares in Aker ASA rose following the announcement, highlighting market confidence in this transformative AI initiative[1].
For more information about
OpenAI,
ChatGPT, and their global infrastructure efforts, visit their official websites.
For more information about
OpenAI,
ChatGPT, and their global infrastructure efforts, visit their official websites.
For more information about
OpenAI,
ChatGPT, and their global infrastructure efforts, visit their official websites.
