OpenAI opens its first European AI data center in Norway | Chat GPT login free | OpenAI Playground | OpenAI stock | Turtles AI

OpenAI has announced Stargate Norway, the first European data center under the OpenAI for Countries program, built in collaboration with Nscale and Aker in the Narvik region. It will have an initial capacity of 230 MW, 100,000 GPUs by the end of 2026, renewable energy, direct cooling, and support for local research.

Key points:

• First Stargate center in Europe under the OpenAI for Countries program
• Initial capacity of 230 MW, with expansion planned to 520 MW
• Target of 100,000 NVIDIA GPUs by the end of 2026
• Infrastructure powered entirely by hydroelectric power with liquid cooling and heat reuse

OpenAI has formally launched Stargate Norway, marking the first infrastructure approach for its Stargate project on the European continent, refined within the OpenAI for Countries program. Located in Kvandal, in the Narvik area (northern Norway), the site will be developed by Nscale in collaboration with Aker, forming a 50-50 joint venture with initial capital of approximately $1 billion (~NOK 10 billion) and reserved for the launch of the first 20MW phase.

Specifically, the project envisions a capacity of 230MW with plans to add an additional 290MW in subsequent phases, potentially increasing the site’s capacity up to tenfold compared to the initial phase (IT Pro). The technical goal is to equip the center with 100,000 NVIDIA GPUs by the end of 2026, with the prospect of expansion in the following years.

Narvik was chosen due to its abundant hydroelectric power, energy costs well below the European average, a cold climate conducive to natural cooling, and low local electricity demand that allows it to host large-scale infrastructure without grid congestion (IT Pro). The data center will be powered entirely by renewable energy sources and will include a closed-loop liquid cooling system directly to the chip to maximize efficiency; excess heat will be recovered to support local low-carbon businesses.

OpenAI will participate as an initial purchaser (off-taker) of the capacity, with the option to increase its use over time. Residual capacity will be made available to public and private users in the United Kingdom, the Nordics, and Northern Europe, contributing to the development of the European AI ecosystem and favoring Norwegian startups and researchers who will have priority access to computing power.

At the institutional level, OpenAI intends to collaborate with the Norwegian government to support the adoption of AI technologies and contribute to the achievement of sovereign AI language and computational capabilities, underpinned by a strategic focus on secure and autonomous digital infrastructures.

This announcement follows the launch of Stargate UAE and the strengthening of agreements with the United Kingdom and Estonia to expand the adoption of ChatGPT and other AI solutions in the public sector, as well as OpenAI’s interest in participating in the EU’s AI Gigafactories initiative, aiming to strengthen its digital sovereignty.

Stargate Norway represents a significant infrastructure investment for Europe, combining clean energy, cutting-edge cooling, sustainable computing, and local regeneration, without compromising the growth of the AI ecosystem. It provides a solid foundation for the expansion of AI across the continent.