Norway continues to solidify its position as a hub for cutting-edge data center development with several ambitious projects underway. From leveraging renewable energy to supporting AI infrastructure, the country is attracting significant investment in advanced digital facilities. Among the most notable initiatives is Polar DC’s plan to construct a 40MW data center in Herøya, positioning Norway as a critical player in sustainable data center infrastructure.
Polar DC, a Nordic data center company, has announced plans to develop a 40MW facility in Herøya, located along the southeast coast of Norway. The project, named HER01, will be situated on the Herøya Industrial Park, a peninsula in Porsgrunn Municipality, Telemark County, approximately 140 kilometers southwest of Oslo.
Covering a 39,000 square meter site, the facility is ready for construction and aims to support the long-term deployment of artificial intelligence (AI)-focused infrastructure. Andy Hayes, CEO of Polar DC, emphasized the significance of this development for the company’s growth strategy.
"Our Herøya development represents the next step of our expansion strategy in Norway", Hayes said. "By continuing to invest in locations that combine renewable energy, strong connectivity, and favorable environmental conditions, we are building a platform that enables our customers to deploy AI infrastructure at scale, sustainably and efficiently."
Polar DC has been steadily expanding across Norway, with existing projects in locations such as Drangedal, Porsgrunn, Tørdal, and areas near Oslo. The company, launched last year by Lian Group, received a major boost when H.I.G. Capital acquired a majority stake in October.
The Porsgrunn Municipality had initially revealed Polar DC’s interest in Herøya as part of a zoning change proposal earlier this year. The HER01 project is expected to be a benchmark for sustainable AI and high-performance computing (HPC) infrastructure.
Polar DC’s Herøya project is just one of many data center initiatives taking shape across Norway. Arcem, another Nordic data center company, has announced large-scale projects in several locations, including Bergen, Husnes, Moss, and Elverum.
One of Arcem’s most ambitious endeavors is a 130MW facility planned for Arnatippen in Søndre Arna, Bergen, on land previously used as a landfill. The company is also developing a 90MW project in Husnes, with its first 40MW phase expected to come online by 2031.
Meanwhile, Karmøy officials are considering deploying a government-backed data center as part of the Karmøy AI Initiative. Plans for a 15-acre facility, located near an existing substation, aim to support local research, education, and business development.
In Lindesnes, the Otterlei Group is pursuing plans for a data center in the Tryland industrial area. Notably, the company plans to reuse waste heat from the facility to support a nearby tomato farm, in a move that highlights Norway’s focus on sustainable practices.
Norway’s combination of abundant renewable energy, favorable environmental conditions, and strong connectivity makes it an attractive location for advanced data center projects. As Polar DC and other developers continue to expand their operations, the country is poised to play a pivotal role in the global race for scalable, sustainable AI and HPC infrastructure.
With projects like HER01 in Herøya at the forefront, Norway is not only meeting the growing demand for data infrastructure but also setting an example for how such developments can align with environmental sustainability.
