When people talk about innovation in artificial intelligence, they often focus on the GPUs, the data, and the power. But for us in Glomfjord, Norway, innovation is about people. It’s about how a small community in the Arctic Circle can become part of something global, and how that global progress, in turn, can strengthen local lives and livelihoods.
I was born and raised in northern Norway. I’ve seen Glomfjord evolve from a hub of traditional industry into a place that now helps build the future of AI. Through Nscale’s data center, we’re proving that advanced technology and local development can go hand in hand. Global innovation can support small towns in addition to the larger tech ecosystem.
From hydropower to high performance
What makes Glomfjord uniquely suited for this? The environment itself. Our cool climate and abundant hydropower make for an exceptionally efficient and sustainable setup. We can pull in cold air and use cold process water for cooling, reducing energy use and carbon footprint. The data center is powered 100% by renewable energy. The heat we do generate doesn’t go to waste. We share it with local fish farms and neighboring industries. It’s a model of circular energy use, one rooted in cooperation and mutual benefit.
This “sharing economy of energy” isn’t new to Glomfjord. It’s part of our DNA. But through Nscale, we’ve been able to scale that spirit of collaboration into the digital era.
Investing in local skills
At the heart of our operation is a belief that innovation works best when it’s built locally. When you build something so technically complex in a remote area, you can’t just fly in experts and leave when the work is done. You have to grow skills locally and that’s exactly what we’re doing.
We partner closely with local electricians, contractors, and technical teams to design and maintain our data centers. It's a collaborative approach. We share designs, discuss solutions, and develop together. That process helps us create better systems, but it also upskills our partners for the long term. Every project becomes a kind of living classroom, and every successful milestone strengthens the community’s technical expertise.
Apprenticeships and education
We’ve also taken that commitment into the classroom. Nscale is an approved apprenticeship company in Nordland County, and we’ve already welcomed students from local schools to spend time at the data center. These are young people, 16 to 18 years old, learning not only how a data center operates but also what role technology can play in their own futures.
Some assist with basic operations or spend time with the mechanical and electrical (M&E) department. What matters most is that they’re exposed to a world of possibility. One that exists right on their doorstep.
We see it as a responsibility to make AI tangible for the next generation. It’s not something distant or abstract. It’s something they can build, maintain, and grow here at home. When these students return to school, they tell their friends, their parents, and their teachers what they’ve seen. That ripple effect builds awareness and pride, and over time, it helps shape the future workforce of our region.
Looking ahead
Norway has always prided itself on being forward-thinking when it comes to energy. Hydropower was the foundation of our modern industry, and I believe AI infrastructure can be the next step in that story. When the future of AI is rooted in places like Glomfjord and grounded in people, purpose, and responsibility, it becomes more than innovation. It becomes real progress.
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