OpenAI Launches First European AI Data Center in Norway

OpenAI has officially opened its first European artificial intelligence data center, named "Stargate Norway," in the northern city of Narvik. This marks a significant milestone in the company's "OpenAI for Countries" initiative, designed to expand global AI infrastructure and accessibility.

A Joint Venture for Large-Scale Computing

The Stargate Norway facility is a 50/50 joint venture between OpenAI, infrastructure provider Nscale, and industrial giant Aker. The data center is planned to have an initial capacity of 230 megawatts (MW), with an additional 290 MW slated for future expansion. By the end of 2026, the facility aims to deploy 100,000 NVIDIA GPUs, positioning it as a key hub for AI development in Europe.

Image source note: The image is AI-generated, and the image licensing service is Midjourney

Sustainable and Energy-Efficient Design

The data center will be entirely powered by renewable energy, leveraging Narvik's cool climate and abundant hydropower resources. To maximize efficiency, the facility will employ advanced closed-loop direct chip liquid cooling technology. This system not only improves energy efficiency but also recovers excess heat generated by GPUs, which can be repurposed to support low-carbon enterprises in the region.

Supporting Local and Regional AI Innovation

Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, emphasized that Stargate Norway is a critical component of the company's infrastructure platform. "This facility aligns with our vision of making AI accessible globally," Altman stated. OpenAI plans to prioritize computing resources for Norwegian startups and researchers, fostering local innovation. Excess capacity will also be made available to public and private sectors across the UK, Nordic countries, and other European regions.

In its announcement, OpenAI highlighted the importance of establishing large-scale computing capabilities in Europe: "This ensures that the AI transformation benefits developers, scientists, startups, and communities across the region."

Expanding Global Footprint

The launch of Stargate Norway follows OpenAI's earlier Stargate project in the UAE. The company is also collaborating with the Norwegian government to align with the country's sovereign AI goals. Recent activities in Europe include partnerships with the UK government and Estonia, as well as interest in the EU's AI mega-factory initiative.

Key Points:

• 🌍 First European AI Hub: OpenAI's Stargate Norway is its inaugural European data center, aimed at boosting regional AI capabilities.
• 💡 Renewable Energy Focus: The facility runs entirely on green energy and plans to deploy 100,000 NVIDIA GPUs by 2026.
• 🤝 Local Priority: Norwegian startups will receive prioritized access to computing resources, with excess capacity shared across Europe.