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OpenAI’s second reported retreat from a European Stargate data-center project was in Norway: after pausing Stargate UK, it withdrew from the planned Stargate Norway arrangement. The Narvik site later became part of a Microsoft–Nscale capacity deal, but available reporting does not confirm that OpenAI will use that capacity.
What happened to Stargate Norway?
Network World reported that OpenAI pulled out of two European Stargate data-center deals within a week: the UK project first, followed by Norway. The Norway plan had been announced in July 2025 with Nscale and Aker as partners. OpenAI said the facility would target 100,000 NVIDIA GPUs by the end of 2026; that was a future target, not a count of delivered or operational GPUs. OpenAI’s 2025 announcement
The Narvik project did not simply disappear. Aker’s Q1 2026 investor presentation says a Microsoft contract covering more than 30,000 NVIDIA Vera Rubin GPUs replaced OpenAI’s letter of intent. Separately, Data Center Dynamics reported on April 15, 2026, that Microsoft and Nscale announced an additional 30,000 Rubin GPUs for a 230 MW data center near Narvik. These are later capacity arrangements, not evidence that the original OpenAI plan was completed. Data Center Dynamics · Aker investor materials
How the UK and Norway changes differ
| Project | Reported status | What is established | What is not established |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stargate UK | Paused | Reuters reported on April 9, 2026, that OpenAI paused the project, citing an unfavorable regulatory environment and high energy costs. | Those reported reasons do not establish why the Norway arrangement changed. Reuters |
| Stargate Norway, near Narvik | OpenAI’s letter of intent replaced by a Microsoft contract, according to Aker | Aker describes a Microsoft contract for more than 30,000 GPUs; Data Center Dynamics reported the Microsoft–Nscale announcement for a 230 MW facility. | Construction completion, operational capacity, definitive contract terms, and OpenAI’s actual use of the site are not established. |
Will OpenAI still get compute from the Narvik facility?
That remains uncertain. Network World reported, citing a source familiar with negotiations, that Microsoft would rent the facility and provide compute to OpenAI under an unspecified agreement. Aker’s presentation, however, describes Microsoft as replacing OpenAI’s letter of intent. The reporting therefore leaves open a possible indirect supply relationship, but does not establish that OpenAI is a contracted offtaker or user of the Narvik capacity. Network World
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Does this mean Stargate has been canceled?
No. The reported changes concern the UK and Norway projects; they do not establish that Stargate as a whole has ended. OpenAI describes Stargate as a broader AI infrastructure platform and separately announced plans with Oracle for 4.5 gigawatts of additional U.S. data-center capacity in 2025. That figure belongs to the Oracle announcement, not to either European project. OpenAI’s Stargate announcement
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What the announcements do—and do not—show
- OpenAI announced an ambitious Norway target, but an announced target is not delivered capacity.
- Aker says Microsoft’s contract replaced OpenAI’s letter of intent; the later Microsoft–Nscale arrangement does not, by itself, establish that OpenAI retained the original deal.
- Possible OpenAI access through Microsoft is reported as an unspecified arrangement, not a confirmed direct contract or documented usage.
- Reuters’ reported reasons for the UK pause should not be attributed to the Norway change without evidence.
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