In a bold move to combine sustainability with cutting-edge artificial intelligence, Norwegian industrial giant Aker ASA and green data center innovator Nscale are collaborating on a massive $1 billion project to construct one of Europe’s most advanced eco-powered AI data centers. This upcoming facility in Western Norway will provide the computing muscle needed by OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, DALL·E, and Sora.
The goal? To power the future of AI using 100% renewable energy — all while complying with Europe's strict data and sustainability regulations.
💡 Why This Project Matters for AI and the Planet
OpenAI’s tools are transforming how we work, learn, and create. But these tools — especially large-scale models like GPT-4o or future GPT-5 — demand massive amounts of computing power. Training these models consumes enormous energy, raising global concerns about the environmental footprint of artificial intelligence.
This project in Norway solves that challenge in a smart, green way. With its hydropower resources, naturally cool climate, and advanced digital infrastructure, Norway is uniquely positioned to host such a facility. The collaboration aligns well with OpenAI's mission to develop safe and responsible AGI (Artificial General Intelligence) while keeping its carbon footprint low.
🏗️ What the Facility Will Include
The new data center is expected to go live by late 2026. Although exact specifications are confidential, sources confirm that it will use NVIDIA’s high-performance H100 GPUs, liquid-cooling systems, and direct links to local hydropower plants.
The facility will support large-scale training of AI models, host secure APIs for developers and businesses, and allow OpenAI to better serve the European region while remaining compliant with EU privacy regulations.
With thousands of GPUs running simultaneously, efficient power and cooling systems are essential. Nscale is expected to deploy liquid submersion cooling combined with air-cooled architecture powered entirely by hydroelectric energy.
🌍 Why Norway?
Norway is a digital infrastructure paradise. Over 98% of the country’s electricity comes from renewables, mostly from hydropower. The country's cold climate helps reduce the need for energy-intensive cooling systems.
In addition, Norway offers:
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A stable political and economic environment
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Strong support for tech investment and innovation
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Advanced fiber-optic and mobile networks
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A growing tech talent base, especially in clean tech and cloud services
All these factors make Norway the ideal choice for deploying AI infrastructure that’s both powerful and eco-friendly.
🔌 OpenAI’s Use of the Facility
OpenAI’s operations are expanding fast. By setting up this facility in Norway, the organization will be able to:
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Train future generations of AI models, including those that may exceed GPT-5
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Host real-time generative tools for businesses and developers
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Offer secure, region-compliant AI services to governments and industries in Europe
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Enhance the performance and availability of apps like ChatGPT Enterprise, Sora, and DALL·E
This will also make it easier for OpenAI to maintain data sovereignty, a growing requirement in countries with strict rules on data processing and storage.
🔧 Behind the Infrastructure
Both Aker and Nscale have emphasized the integration of energy efficiency and smart technology. The facility will feature AI-based orchestration software that dynamically adjusts energy loads, GPU usage, and cooling systems to optimize operations.
This means better resource management, lower energy costs, and faster compute speeds for OpenAI’s workloads.
According to Nscale’s CTO, Marie Hansen, this project isn't just about scale — it’s about responsibility. She noted:
“We are not only building for capacity. We’re building for sustainability, future resilience, and responsible AI.”
🧩 Aker's Evolution into Digital Infrastructure
Aker ASA, a company historically known for its presence in oil, shipping, and offshore sectors, is transforming itself into a key digital infrastructure player. Through Aker Horizons, it’s investing in renewable energy, green hydrogen, and now — high-performance computing.
This partnership marks Aker’s first major entrance into AI infrastructure, and it shows a strategic shift toward future-facing industries that blend green energy with high-impact technologies.
📈 Impact on the European Tech Ecosystem
The project is expected to bring in over 300 new jobs during construction and operations. It will also position Norway — and by extension, Europe — as a serious player in AI infrastructure, balancing technological advancement with strict sustainability goals.
Startups, academic institutions, and governments will all benefit from having a world-class AI compute hub located within the continent. With data localization becoming more important globally, this facility can help European AI developers stay competitive.
🧠 OpenAI’s Green Commitment
One of OpenAI’s core values is ensuring that AI development does not come at the cost of global well-being. Partnering with companies like Nscale and Aker demonstrates their intent to build AI systems that are both scalable and sustainable.
In their statement, OpenAI emphasized:
“AI must be developed in a way that considers long-term safety, energy sustainability, and global accessibility. This partnership helps us do that.”
📌 Conclusion
This $1 billion project is far more than just a data center — it’s a blueprint for the future of AI. By anchoring OpenAI’s computing in Norway’s renewable energy and digital infrastructure, Aker and Nscale are setting a new standard for responsible, global-scale innovation.
As the world moves toward more AI integration in everyday life, this partnership ensures that the future is not only intelligent — but sustainable too.
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