Last week Nordic Data Center Week 2025 unfolded across all the Nordic countries, with member meetings, conferences, webinars and site visits taking place in Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and Denmark. The week brought together industry leaders, policymakers, suppliers, students, and the broader community for a week of dialogue and knowledge-sharing. The events highlighted the critical role of data centers in society, while also addressing key challenges and opportunities in energy, sustainability, safety, and talent development.

Day 1 - Kick-off in Oslo

From Left: Linnéa Filippa Bjørnstad, THEMA, Nora Viga, student NMBU, Reynir Johannesson, NDI

The week began with a members’ meeting hosted by Norwegian Datacenter Industry and Advokatfirmaet Føyen in Oslo, where participants reflected on the results of Norway’s parliamentary election and discussed the government’s newly published data center strategy. Ongoing projects and their long-term impact on power consumption were also central to the debate.

During the meeting, the report Long-term power consumption development for data centers in Norway from THEMA Consulting Group was released. The report highlighted how the rapid rise of artificial intelligence is expected to drive significant demand for new data centers in Norway. The study shows that while data centers accounted for just over 1% (1.6 TWh) of Norway’s power consumption in 2024, this is projected to rise to 6% by 2030, 9% by 2040, and 11% by 2050. Read the full report here.

The first day also featured Onnec’s webinar on health and safety, emphasizing that safety in data centers is more than compliance – it is about building a proactive culture that protects people, assets, and innovation.

Day 2 - Supply chains and energy futures

Tuesday focused on the growing needs of a rapidly expanding industry. The Supplier Meeting & Matchmaking conference was hosted by Computerworld and Norwegian Data Center Industry in collaboration with Onnec, Schneider Electric, Blix Solutions, HH Fire Eater, Fuel-Service, Kruge, Æge Energy, Victaulic, NTC Services, Networks Centre, Coromatic, Elevate, Fiberworks, Ramirent, GE Vernova, Brækhus Advokatfirma, Pon cat, Gylling, Backe and Forces DC. At the event participants discussed forecasts showing the sector’s potential to create over NOK 28 billion in annual value by 2031. With thousands of megawatts already reserved in the grid and even more in the pipeline, the discussion highlighted both opportunities and the need for strong supplier networks.

Later that day, Siemens hosted a webinar exploring how advisory services and advanced simulation tools can help future-proof energy investments for the industry.

Day 3 - Building global tech companies

Photo: Gapit Nordics.

Photo: Gapit Nordics. From left: Bjørn Rønning, NDI, Svenn Ove Edvardsen, Gapit Nordics, Kjetil Kåsin, Gapit Nordics, Kjetil Mjøs, Gapit Nordics, Ina Hansen Ofte, NDI, Reynir Johannesson, NDI

On Wednesday, Gapit Nordics hosted a panel in Drammen addressing how Norway can leverage its strong data center industry to build international technology companies. The event brought together representatives from Norwegian Data Center Industry, Teknisk Ukeblad, Gapit Nordics, and leading data centers, sparking discussions on scaling globally while remaining rooted in Norway. The session also included a tour of Gapit Nordics’ offices and valuable networking opportunities.

Day 4 - Talent day 2025

Thursday was all about the future workforce. Talent Day 2025, organized by Forces DC in collaboration with Aker, Bulk, epi, CBRE and Gapit Nordics gathered students, jobseekers, and professionals interested in joining one of Europe’s fastest-growing tech industries. With market growth projected to double by 2030, the event underlined the career opportunities emerging within the sector, while also strengthening the connection between industry and education.

Day 5 - Sustainability

The week concluded with Gapit Nordics’ webinar on sustainability. The session addressed how data centers can balance immediate regulatory requirements with long-term environmental responsibility, making clear that sustainability is not a future challenge but a present imperative.

Looking Ahead

Nordic Data Center Week 2025 showcased the strength and ambition of the industry - from policy and strategy to supply chains, talent, and sustainability. The week highlighted the Nordic region’s position as a global hub for responsible, innovative, and future-oriented data center development.

We look forward to continuing the dialogue and building on the momentum as the industry enters its next phase of growth.

Contact person:
Ina Hansen Ofte, Communication- and administration advisor
Email: ina@datasenterindustrien.no