Aker, Nscale to Set Up $1B OpenAI Facility in Norway

• Stargate Norway to install 100,000 Nvidia GB300 Superchip processors by the end of 2026.
• Initial $1 billion investment, with potential tenfold capacity increase in future phases.
• Facility powered by renewable energy, consuming 230 MW with 290 MW expansions planned.

Norwegian conglomerate Aker ASA, in collaboration with Nscale Global Holdings and OpenAI, announced its plan to construct Stargate Norway, a significant artificial intelligence data center in northern Norway.

The facility, part of OpenAI’s Stargate program, aims to install 100,000 Nvidia GB300 Superchip processors by the end of 2026, marking it as Europe’s first under this initiative. This follows a similar Stargate project recently unveiled in the UAE. “This is one of the most ambitious AI infrastructure investments in Europe to date,” OpenAI stated in a blog post.

The center is located in a hydropower-intensive area and will be run on green power with an emphasis on green energy. Aker and Nscale will be the co-owners of Stargate Norway, with an initial investment of about 1 billion to be invested in the first phase.

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Future expansions could increase the facility’s capacity tenfold. “As OpenAI customers, Aker and Nscale will benefit from local access to models and AI services delivered via sovereign infrastructure,” the companies noted. The facility will leverage Nvidia’s high-speed NVLink network technology, as highlighted by Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang in a video presentation.

Stargate Norway is expected to consume 230 megawatts (MW) of electrical power, with plans to expand by an additional 290 MW. Nscale CEO Josh Payne described the project as one of Europe’s first AI gigafactories, stating, “Sovereign, scalable and sustainable infrastructure is now essential to remain competitive.” Aker ASA’s shares surged 4.1% by 0715 GMT following the announcement, reflecting investor confidence in the venture.

The facility is poised to position Norway as a leader in AI infrastructure, combining cutting-edge technology with the region’s abundant renewable energy resources to drive innovation and economic growth.