Europe is making a statement in the global AI arms race. OpenAI’s $1 billion Stargate Norway project, announced Thursday, will bring a next-generation data center to life near Narvik.
The facility delivers what is expected to be Europe’s largest purpose-built AI infrastructure to date, and it is run in partnership with British AI firm Nscale and Norwegian energy major Aker.
The initiative’s scale, 230 megawatts at launch, with plans to double, demonstrates Europe’s intent to shore up its digital sovereignty and compete with US cloud giants in high-performance AI.
Strategic Leap for European AI Sovereignty
Stargate Norway arrives amid a surge in European Union backing for homegrown AI capacity. Paris, Brussels, and Berlin have set their sights on supporting local researchers, startups, and public sector projects with world-class computing.
The EU recently pledged €10 billion for regional AI “factories” to lessen reliance on US-based providers. OpenAI, as the primary anchor customer in Narvik, will ensure that Norwegian startups and scientists get priority computing power, nurturing European innovation at every level.
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Stargate Norway’s first phase will deliver enough computing power, with 100,000 Nvidia GPUs, to handle both European scientific research and large-scale AI training for startups and global enterprises.
100% Clean Power and Advanced Cooling
Sustainability is central to the facility. Stargate Norway will run entirely on locally sourced hydropower, taking advantage of abundant Arctic energy and cool air to drive down both costs and environmental impact.
Closed-loop liquid cooling at the site enhances efficiency, and it repurposes excess heat for surrounding low-carbon ventures.
Power pricing in northern Norway is among Europe’s lowest, strengthening the region’s draw for data center and high-tech investments.
The site’s massive capacity scaling to 520 megawatts and 100,000 Nvidia GPUs by 2026 cements Narvik’s position as a hub for sovereign, large-scale AI and cloud services.
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Infrastructure for Europe’s Digital Future
Stargate will quickly become one of Europe’s most important AI strongholds. It’s designed for robust training and inference, supporting both the largest language models and everyday data needs for public and private customers across the Nordics, the United Kingdom, and beyond.
The OpenAI/Nscale/Aker partnership is structured as a 50/50 venture that balances international expertise with local energy, jobs, and access.
Norwegian and European technology stakeholders say the project will catalyze further investment, research partnerships, and new startups in the region.
Local Impact, Global Signal
Beyond sheer size, Stargate Norway sets a template for how Europe can develop green, secure, cutting-edge digital assets while creating economic value and protecting data sovereignty.
It signals a new era, one where the Arctic is not just about raw resources but is also the staging ground for Europe’s digital competitiveness.
As AI, cloud, and energy needs grow exponentially, Europe’s investment in projects like Stargate Norway will determine whether the continent can rival its global peers not just as a consumer, but as a creator and steward of the digital future.
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