atNorth Expands to Norway with a New Mega Data Center
The Nordic data center sector has recently witnessed a significant development with the announcement from atNorth, a recognized leader in high-density colocation services. The company has declared its entry into Norway through the acquisition of a substantial plot of land in Haugaland, which will serve as the site for its latest mega data center, named NOR01. This move not only strengthens atNorth's presence across the Nordic region but also aligns with its commitment to delivering sustainable and scalable infrastructure designed for high-performance workloads.
Key Features of the New Mega Site
The proposed location spans an impressive 36 hectares within the Haugaland Business Park. At the outset, the facility will provide an initial power capacity of 120 megawatts (MW), with plans to increase this to 350 MW in response to the anticipated growth in demand for data center services. The operational power is slated to become available by 2028, enabled by the establishment of two substations—one constructed by Statnett, Norway's transmission system operator, and the other by Fagne, the regional grid provider.
In line with atNorth's sustainability initiatives, there are plans to explore collaborative opportunities for heat reuse with local stakeholders. This approach aims to enhance the energy efficiency of the site while minimizing its environmental footprint.
Strategic Importance of Norway for Data Centers
Norway has emerged as a highly attractive location for large-scale data center developments, driven by its favorable energy mix, which is predominantly sourced from renewable energies. The country is recognized for its political and economic stability and boasts low-latency network connections to significant European and global markets. Additionally, the naturally cool climate in Norway greatly reduces the necessity for mechanical cooling systems, thereby promoting enhanced energy efficiency and lower carbon emissions.
Eyjólfur Magnús Kristinsson, CEO of atNorth, expressed enthusiasm for this strategic expansion, stating, "Expanding to Norway has been a long-term objective for us, and we're thrilled to solidify our presence in all Nordic countries with the launch of NOR01.” He highlighted how the Haugaland Business Park offers a unique combination of renewable energy resources, efficient connectivity, and a cool climate that is ideal for advanced AI workloads.
Community Impact and Future Prospects
The Mayor of Tysvær Municipality, Monika Lindanger, celebrated atNorth's arrival, noting that the project would foster local investment and innovation, create job opportunities, and support the regional economy through sustainable development. The partnership with atNorth will not only advance the local economy but will also contribute to the circular economy by leveraging beneficial heat reuse tactics.
With this announcement, atNorth continues its ambitious trajectory of growth within the Nordics, following previous announcements regarding a mega data center, SWE04, located in Sollefteå, Sweden, as well as ongoing developments across Sweden and Finland and expansions of existing facilities in Iceland.
About atNorth
AtNorth has established itself as a leading Nordic data center provider, recognized for offering high-density colocation and tailored services. Sustainability is at the heart of atNorth's operations, with all data centers powered by renewable energy and committed to circular economy principles. The company operates multiple data centers strategically located across the Nordics, positioning itself as a trusted partner for high-performance computing and large-scale digital transformation initiatives.
For further details regarding atNorth and its services, visit
atNorth.com or connect on LinkedIn.