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Stargate Norway: Laying the foundation for the future of AI

A couple of weeks ago, we announced Stargate Norway — an initiative that represents a major step forward for Nscale, for our partners Aker ASA and OpenAI, and for the future of AI infrastructure in Europe.

Located just outside Narvik in Northern Norway, Stargate Norway plans to deliver 230MW of initial capacity powered by renewable hydropower, with ambitions to scale by an additional 290MW. The facility will target to deliver 100,000 NVIDIA GPUs making it one of the most significant AI infrastructure projects in Europe, and the first AI gigafactory from OpenAI in the region under its new “For Countries” programme.

It is also the culmination of years of work across our team — from our first facility in Glomfjord to this next major phase of growth. Stargate Norway is the result of careful planning, a strong regional partnership with Aker, and a shared belief that the infrastructure of the future must be designed with sustainability and scale at its core.

The future of Europe’s AI economy will rest on infrastructure

Europe is in the midst of a critical moment. Across the continent, governments are advancing national AI strategies. Regulators are moving swiftly. Companies are racing to adopt AI across their operations. The ambition is there — but ambition alone is not enough.

Real leadership in AI requires capability: deep infrastructure, scalable compute, trusted partners and a platform that can deliver when it matters most. That’s what we’re building. Stargate Norway is a strategic answer to that need. It will deliver high-performance AI compute at scale — while setting new benchmarks for sustainability, energy efficiency and regional resilience.

Because the regions that build this infrastructure now will be the ones that shape the next generation of economic growth, scientific breakthroughs and public service innovation.

From Glomfjord to Narvik: Facilities built for scale, sustainability and the years ahead

We’ve operated in Norway for years — beginning with our site in Glomfjord in the Arctic Circle. We know this region well, and we believe in its potential.

From the beginning, our vision for Stargate Norway has been clear: to build infrastructure that is not only powerful, but future-proof. The facility is designed from the ground up for the demands of frontier model training, fine-tuning and low-latency inference. 

Narvik offers the right mix: abundant clean energy, cool climate and industrial readiness. As a result, the site will run entirely on renewable hydropower. It will use closed-loop liquid cooling to ensure maximum cooling efficiency. And we’re planning to recycle waste heat to support local low-carbon industries. These aren’t afterthoughts — they are fundamental to our approach.

Aker: A partner for long-term impact

Stargate Norway is the result of close collaboration across sectors. With Aker ASA, we’ve found a partner whose industrial heritage, executional rigour and national significance are unmatched. Aker brings decades of experience in large-scale industrial project development and a deep commitment to Northern Norway.

By drawing on the team’s extensive experience and impressive track record, we’re ensuring that this project is built on a solid foundation. The joint venture combines Aker’s industrial and operational strength with Nscale’s expertise in AI infrastructure, hyperscale compute, and energy-efficient data operations — a partnership that perfectly aligns two complementary skillsets to deliver on the next era of AI infrastructure.

Together, we’re building more than a data centre — we’re creating the foundation for a new era of responsible AI growth in Europe.

Partnership as a multiplier

No single organisation can build the future of AI alone. Real impact requires collaboration across sectors, skillsets and shared values.

OpenAI, through its OpenAI For Countries programme, is helping to build a more open and inclusive AI future. Their involvement signals a strong belief in Europe’s role in that future, and confidence in our ability to build infrastructure at global scale. NVIDIA’s role is equally pivotal. Their leadership in accelerated computing makes it possible to push the limits of what’s technically achievable — from training massive foundation models to deploying ultra-low-latency applications.

Above all, we’re proud to deepen our roots in Norway. This project reflects not just our investment in infrastructure, but our commitment to the communities and people that will power its success. From local job creation to skills development and industrial resilience, our goal is to build something that delivers lasting benefit.

Building what’s next

This announcement is just the beginning. At Nscale, our mission is to deliver enterprise-grade infrastructure that empowers nations, accelerates innovation and expands access to AI compute.

We’re proud to play a role in shaping the future of global AI — and grateful to our partners, our customers and our team for helping us bring this project to life.

Stargate Norway represents a critical step in strengthening Europe’s capacity to lead in AI on its own terms. And we are proud to be helping build it.

📖 Read the full press release
📽️ Watch our announcement video with OpenAI, Aker and NVIDIA

Josh Payne
Founder & CEO
Bio

Significant entrepreneurial experience in capital markets, crypto mining, and M&A in the renewable energy sector; Co-Founder and COO of the $357 million NASDAQ-listed battery metals SPAC, Battery Future Acquisition Corp.