Google Skien Norway: 240MW Hyperscale AI-Ready Data Center
Status: Live / Commissioning | Location: Skådalsvegen, Skien, Telemark, Norway
Project Overview
Officially commissioned on February 23, 2026, the Google Skien Data Center is a €600 million landmark project representing Norway’s first hyperscale entry by Google. Situated approximately 130 km south of Oslo, the facility is designed to handle a massive share of Google’s global storage and AI processing, including Search, YouTube, and Workspace. The site is a masterclass in Nordic efficiency, utilizing Norway’s virtually emission-free power grid—primarily driven by hydropower. A unique feature of the project is its potential for waste-heat recovery, with plans to support local district heating for up to 600,000 apartments. The campus is built using modular construction blocks and is engineered for high-density AI clusters, making it a critical node for Google’s European cloud services and its "fossil-free by 2030" initiative.
Quick Facts
| Field | Value |
|---|
| Project Name | Google Skien Norway: 240MW Hyperscale AI-Ready Data Center |
| Location | Skådalsvegen, Skien, Telemark, Norway |
| Status | Live / Commissioning |
| Commissioning | February 23, 2026 |
| Total IT Load | 240 MW (Phase 1 & 2) |
| Total Capacity | 840 MW (Future Master Plan) |
| Tier Level | Tier III+ Equivalent |
| Project Type | Hyperscale / AI-Native Infrastructure |
City Profile
| Header | Details |
|---|
| City Name | Skien |
| Population | Approximately 55,000 |
| Urban Agglomeration | Around 75,000 |
| City GDP | USD 70,000 |
| Per Capita Income | USD 50,000 |
| City Tier | Tier 3 |
| Key Strengths | Strong focus on sustainable development and green energy projects. |
Companies Involved
| Header | Details |
|---|
| Developer / Operator | Google LLC |
| Strategic Infrastructure Partner | Statnett (Grid Operator) |
| Construction Contractor | ZAUNERGROUP (Specialist GC) |
| MEP Engineering | DLA Piper (Legal/Procurement) / AECOM |
| Network Connectivity | Google B4 Backbone, GlobalConnect, Telenor |
| Power Infrastructure | Statnett / Skagerak Energi |
Technical Specifications
| Header | Details |
|---|
| Power Capacity | 240 MW |
| UPS Redundancy | 2N+1 Redundancy |
| Cooling System | Free-Air Cooling & Waste Heat Recovery System |
| Connectivity | Proprietary Fiber Mesh & Multi-Carrier Gateways |
| PUE Target | 1.10 |
| Energy Mix | 100% Carbon-Free (Hydropower & Wind) |
Milestones
| Header | Details |
|---|
| Announcement | May 2024 |
| Construction Start | Q3 2024 |
| Phase 1 Go-Live | February 23, 2026 |
| Full Buildout | 2030 (Planned 840 MW) |
Investment Details
| Header | Details |
|---|
| Total Investment | €600 Million (Phase 1) |
| Funding | Corporate Capital Expenditure |