OpenAI Isn't Just Training Models—It's Building Sovereign AI Infrastructure in Arctic I'm thrilled by the bold move announced this week: OpenAI, in partnership with Nscale and Aker, is establishing Stargate Norway—its first European AI “gigafactory” in Kvandal near Narvik. This isn’t your average data center; it’s a sovereign, sustainable AI outpost built for strategic resilience, innovation, and regional empowerment. What Makes Stargate Norway Stand Out: Massive Scale & Sustainability Initially powered by 230 MW of hydropower, with expansion plans aiming for up to 520 MW—all fueled by clean, renewable energy. Utilizes 100,000 NVIDIA GPUs (via GB300 Superchips with NVLink), to be deployed by end of 2026. Efficiency by Design Features closed-loop, direct-to-chip liquid cooling systems. Waste heat will be repurposed to support local low-carbon businesses—amplifying environmental and community impact. Empowering Norway and Europe’s AI Ecosystem OpenAI will be an initial offtaker and plans to scale over time, but the facility is also designed to serve local researchers, startups, and public institutions—advancing regional innovation and AI sovereignty. Geographic and infrastructure advantages—clean energy, lower costs, cool climate, and industrial readiness—make Narvik a strategic site. Long-Term, Far-Looking Investment The first phase is backed by a $1 billion investment, equally funded by Nscale and Aker. The site has the potential to scale tenfold, reinforcing its role as a beacon of AI infrastructure in Europe.