Google Explores Potential for Major Data Center in Valer, Norway
December 15, 2025
Alphabet Inc.'s Google is exploring the possibility of building a significant data center in Valer, Norway, as the tech giant continues its strategic expansion into the Nordic region, a key battleground for sustainable and energy-efficient cloud infrastructure. The move aligns with Norway's national strategy to attract data center investments, leveraging its abundant renewable energy resources to power the digital economy while creating local jobs and fostering a green digital transformation.
According to information shared by the local Kommune of Valer, the potential facility would be situated at the Gylderåsen industrial area, a site designated for such use since 2009. The project's origins trace back to a 2017 feasibility study conducted by consulting firms Cowi and Smart Innovation Norway, which identified Gylderåsen as a suitable location for data center development. A report from Norwegian technology news outlet Digi.no indicates the scale of Google's ambition, stating the company has applied for a substantial 480 megawatts of power capacity for the proposed data center within the NO1 power region.
Sondre Ronander, Head of Communications for Google Norway, confirmed the power application to Digi.no but emphasized the preliminary nature of the plans. "This is merely an early step," Ronander stated, adding that "there should not be expectations for construction to commence any time soon," and no final decision has been made regarding the site.
If realized, the Valer project would represent a major expansion of Google's footprint in Norway. The company is already developing its first data center campus in the country in the Skien region, where construction began in February 2024. Google initially announced its plans for a Norwegian cloud region in October 2022. The potential addition of a second, large-scale facility underscores the strategic importance of the Nordics for hyperscale operators seeking reliable, carbon-neutral power to meet growing computational demands, particularly from artificial intelligence workloads.
Source: datacenterdynamics
Google Explores Potential for Major Data Center in Valer, Norway
