- Openai chose Narvik for its low -cost hydroelectricity, completely jumping the traditional European data centers
- Stargate Norway Project will use 100,000 NVIDIA GPU in a massive and renewable configuration
- $ 1 billion center of data promises a capacity of 520 MW and cutting -edge cooling systems
Openai European ambitions have taken a surprising turn with the launch of its Stargate project in northern Norway.
Instead of traditional technological centers such as Germany, France or the United Kingdom, Openai chose Narvik, a distant but energy location, to host what could become one of the largest IA infrastructure facilities.
The site, which is part of the Openai “Openai for Country” initiative, aims to provide massive calculation resources fed by 100,000 NVIDIA GPU by the end of 2026.
A billion dollars joint venture with deep industrial roots
Stargate Norway is a joint venture between the IA NSCAL Infrastructure Company and the Norwegian Industrial Heart Aker, both of which have launched substantial funding in its development.
“Announcement Stargate Norway and delivering one of the first AI Europeans to the market is a strategic stage for the region and stimulates its role in the AI global landscape,” said Josh Payne, CEO of NSCAL.
The initial phase of 20 MW is supported alone by around 1 billion dollars in investment, with long -term plans to pass the capacity to 520 MW.
The site will count fully on renewable energies and includes advanced cooling systems, including liquid cooling in closed and direct loop to chip, with excess heat that would have been reused to support local carbon projects.
The justification for Narvik’s choice on more central locations seems to be anchored in the cost and availability of resources.
The region offers low electricity prices, abundant hydroelectricity and a naturally cool climate.
“Norway has a proud history of transforming clean renewable energies into industrial value, fueling global industries such as aluminum and fertilizers … North Norway, with its excess of clean energy, available capacity and industrial preparation, is the ideal launch for this transformation,” said Øyvind Eriksen, President and CEO of Aker.
Narvik’s relatively underused transmission capacity also makes it viable for heavy calculation charges, which many traditional European centers of European data are struggling to adapt.
OPENAI is positioned as the initial consumer of calculation power, but the excess capacity should be distributed through the United Kingdom, the Nordic countries and Northern Europe.
From the hardware point of view, the planned installation of 100,000 NVIDIA GPU positions Stargate Norway as a serious competitor in high performance IT.
This type of scale will require robust CPU support and an optimized data center not only for high -intensity workloads, but also for rapid processor handling and storage flow.
“Europe needs more calculation to carry out the full potential of AI for all Europeans – developers and researchers to startups and scientists – and we want to help get there,” said Sam Altman, CEO of Openai.
As the data centers are evolving in strategic assets, the decision to place one of the largest ia calculation facilities in the world in Narvik marks a bold change, which could reshape the geographic balance of AI development in Europe.
