OpenAI and Aker launch Stargate Norway – AI center with 100,000 NVIDIA GPUs

Nscale Global Holdings Ltd. (”Nscale”), Aker ASA (”Aker”) and OpenAI today announced the launch of Stargate Norway: an advanced AI infrastructure project in Narvik, Northern Norway. The facility, powered entirely by renewable energy, aims to deliver 100,000 NVIDIA GPUs by the end of 2026, with ambitions to scale up significantly in the coming years. Stargate Norway will be designed to provide secure, scalable and energy-efficient infrastructure for autonomous AI workloads across Europe, fully in line with European regulations. The initiative is led by global AI infrastructure provider Nscale, in collaboration with Aker and OpenAI.

Stargate Norway is planned to deliver 230 MW of capacity, with ambitions to expand by a further 290 MW – placing it among the most significant investments in AI infrastructure in Europe. The project marks OpenAI’s first data center initiative on the continent and the first European facility under their “OpenAI for Countries” program.

The facility will located in Kvandal, just outside Narvik – a region characterized by abundant hydropower, low local electricity demand and limited transmission capacity. These conditions result in electricity 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 expected 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 promote AI research and development, as well as support the growth of regional expertise and innovation in northern Norway.

”Introducing Stargate Norway and delivering one of the first European AI gigafactories to market is a strategic milestone for the region and strengthens its role in the global AI landscape,” said Josh Payne, CEO of Nscale. ”A self-sufficient, scalable and sustainable infrastructure is now essential to remain competitive. We are proud to partner with Aker, leveraging the team’s extensive experience and impressive track record, to deliver a new generation of AI growth and productivity growth in Europe. Together, we combine OpenAI’s leading models with Nscale’s vertically integrated AI cloud to provide the sustainable infrastructure needed to support public good, build industrial resilience, and enable long-term regional innovation.”

The facility will be designed and built by Nscale, drawing on their experience in delivering high-quality AI infrastructure across Europe. It will be owned by a 50/50 joint venture between Nscale and Aker, to be formed through wholly-owned subsidiaries of Aker following the planned merger with Aker Horizons. Completion of the joint venture project is subject to agreed closing conditions.

In parallel, Nscale and Aker will begin preparatory steps and mobilize resources for construction activities. Both parties have committed approximately USD 1 billion to the initial 20 MW phase of the project, including up to USD 250 million in equity on a 100 % basis, with each partner contributing equally. The Kvandal facility alone has the potential to scale tenfold in future phases as customer contracts are secured. OpenAI welcomes the opportunity to be an initial buyer with the ability to scale up over time under its “OpenAI for Countries” program.

”Norway has a proud history of transforming clean, renewable energy into industrial value, powering global industries such as aluminum and fertilizers,” says Øyvind Eriksen, President and CEO of Aker. ”Today, artificial intelligence and advanced data mining represent the next wave of value creation. Northern Norway, with its surplus of clean energy, available capacity and industrial readiness, is the perfect springboard for this transformation. 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 center "As Norway's energy advantage shifts from cost centers to value-creating assets, it will become a catalyst for the next generation of digital industry. We are proud to help drive this development together with Nscale, OpenAI and local stakeholders."”

”Europe needs more computing power to realize the full potential of AI for all Europeans – from developers and researchers to startups and scientists – and we want to help make that happen,” said Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI. ”I’ve always said we’d love to bring Stargate to Europe if the conditions are right, and we believe we’ve found it in Narvik with clean, affordable energy, an ideal climate, and amazing partners in Nscale and Aker. Stargate Norway will help provide the computing power to drive the next wave of AI breakthroughs and economic progress for Europe, in Europe.”

The consortium behind Stargate Norway has made long-term sustainability a core principle of the project. The facility will be powered entirely by renewable energy and is expected to include closed-loop, direct-to-chip liquid cooling to ensure maximum cooling efficiency. In addition, excess heat from the GPU systems will be made available to support low-carbon businesses in the region.

As OpenAI customers, Aker and Nscale will benefit from local access to models and AI services delivered via government infrastructure. They will also offer priority access to Norway’s AI ecosystem, enabling domestic startups and researchers to tap into world-class computing resources. Surplus capacity is expected to be made available to public and private users in the UK, the Nordics and Northern Europe, supporting regional demand and contributing to the broader development of Europe’s AI ecosystem.