OpenAI has announced the launch of Stargate Norway, its first large-scale AI infrastructure project in Europe, under the OpenAI for Countries program. Located in Kvandal near Narvik, the initiative is backed by a $1 billion investment from a 50/50 joint venture between Nscale Global Holdings and Aker ASA. The facility is expected to house 100,000 Nvidia GPUs by the end of 2026, delivering an initial 230 MW of com... The site benefits from clean and affordable hydropower, a cool climate, and a mature industrial base—making it an ideal location for sustainable AI infrastructure. It also incorporates closed-loop, direct-to-chip liquid cooling and uses excess heat to power local low-carbon enterprises, reinforcing its sustainability credentials. Stargate Norway will offer priority access to Norwegian researchers, startups, and scientists, while surplus capacity will serve public and private sectors across the UK, Nordics, and wider Northern Europe. As a strategic step toward European AI sovereignty, this gigafactory is set to become a cornerstone of the AI ecosystem in the region. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman emphasized that the facility will drive the next wave of AI breakthroughs and economic growth across Europe. This launch follows parallel developments in the UAE and U.S. under the Stargate initiative, positioning Europe as the next major frontier for AI infrastructure expansion.