Green Horizon Plans 36MW AI Data Center in Norway

Green Horizon, a Norwegian data center developer, has secured crucial planning approval for its inaugural facility, Norway 1, near Stavanger. This significant development marks the company's entry into the rapidly expanding Nordic digital infrastructure market, with a specific focus on catering to the demanding requirements of artificial intelligence and high-performance computing workloads. The 36MW facility, slated for completion in the latter half of 2027, is designed with advanced liquid-cooling capabilities, positioning it to support the next generation of compute-intensive applications.

The project, representing an investment of approximately €300 million, is the first phase of Green Horizon's ambitious plan to establish a substantial data center platform in Southwest Norway. The company has already secured 96MW of power capacity across three planned sites in the Stavanger region, with Norway 2 (12MW) and Norway 3 (48MW) expected to follow. This strategic expansion taps into Norway's abundant renewable hydropower resources, a key differentiator in an era where sustainability and energy efficiency are paramount for data center operators and their clients.

A unique aspect of the Norway 1 design is its integrated heat reuse strategy. The facility will channel excess heat generated by its operations to power an adjacent greenhouse, which will also serve as the data center's roof. This innovative approach, technically validated and approved by local authorities, not only enhances operational efficiency and reduces the environmental footprint but also fosters a symbiotic relationship with the local community. This aligns with the growing trend of circular economy principles being applied to large-scale industrial developments.

Richard Rettedal, CEO of Green Horizon, emphasized the project's significance, stating, “Securing planning approval for Norway 1 marks a major milestone for Green Horizon and for our ambition to build Norway’s AI data center platform. Customers deploying AI and high-performance compute need dependable capacity, resilience, and a clear route to scale.” The company's commitment to providing a robust and scalable infrastructure is crucial in a market where demand for AI-driven services is accelerating at an unprecedented pace. The global AI market is projected to grow substantially in the coming years, driving significant investment in the underlying data center infrastructure required to support it.

The development of Norway 1 is expected to commence construction later this year. Green Horizon is building a strong partner ecosystem, including support from CBRE for operations, and collaborations with industry players such as BHP, Siemens, and CTS Nordics. The company's leadership team, including COO Paul Besley, brings extensive experience from previous roles at prominent data center firms like Global Switch and Colt, underscoring the project's professional backing.

This development occurs amidst a dynamic period for data center expansion in the Nordics. Another Norwegian firm, Fossefall, recently received approval to expand its facility in Fyresdal and is pursuing a broader strategy to develop up to 1GW across Norway, Sweden, and Finland. The region's favorable climate, access to renewable energy, and strategic location continue to attract significant investment in the digital infrastructure sector, positioning it as a key hub for data center growth in Europe.