en.Wedoany.com Reported - Nscale and Nordkraft have announced the formation of a joint venture, Nordscale Operations AS, to jointly operate an AI data center in the Narvik region of Norway, a project that has been under construction since 2025. By establishing this jointly owned entity, the two parties have formalized their partnership to combine Nscale's expertise in artificial intelligence infrastructure with Nordkraft's regional strengths. The new company aims to provide operational support while enhancing local capabilities.
Nordscale is scheduled to begin operations in 2026, managing the facilities that support the development of this data center. The joint venture provides Nscale with a dedicated operational organization rooted in the region where the infrastructure is located, while expanding Nordkraft's role from construction support to long-term management. Nordkraft is expected to provide operational services during the construction phase.
Eirik Frantzen, CEO of Nordkraft AS, stated that the company believes Nordscale will improve supplier efficiency by creating a Norwegian operator based on the complementary capabilities of both parties. He noted that critical infrastructure operations are one of Nordkraft's core competencies, and with its local roots, the company is responsible for ensuring that the industry creates local employment opportunities, calling this an initial example of how to build an industry amid the AI wave.
In addition to site operations, Nordscale will recruit operational and management positions in facilities, technology, and corporate functions in the Narvik region. Expected recruitment roles cover mechanical engineering, human resources, health, safety, and environment (HSE), and broader operational support. The partnership also extends to the local supply chain, with plans to collaborate with local and national suppliers for catering, cleaning, logistics, landscaping, snow removal, maintenance, and specialized technical services. The two companies anticipate that this move will generate broader economic activity in the Narvik region and embed local businesses into the facility's operational model, with the goal of supporting daily site operations and long-term facility management rather than relying solely on external suppliers.
Stian Jenssen, Managing Director for Scandinavia at Nscale, stated that this partnership reflects Nscale's commitment to northern Norway and the importance of building long-term operational capabilities locally with local partners. The announcement underscores Nscale's strategy of combining global AI infrastructure expertise with regional operational knowledge as new capacity comes online.
