Microsoft Announces 25MW Data Center in Sandnes, Norway to Expand Norway East Region
July 2, 2026
Microsoft Announces 25MW Data Center in Sandnes, Norway to Expand Norway East Region
Microsoft has unveiled plans to build a new data center in Sandnes, Norway, adding 25 megawatts (MW) of capacity to its growing cloud infrastructure in the Nordic region. The facility will support the expansion of the company’s Norway East region, which is part of Microsoft’s broader strategy to meet rising demand for cloud and AI services across Europe.
The project marks a significant step in Microsoft’s ongoing investment in Norway’s digital economy. By establishing a new data center in Sandnes, a city located on the southwestern coast, the tech giant aims to provide low-latency access to Azure services for local businesses and public sector organizations. The 25MW capacity is designed to support enterprise workloads, data residency requirements, and the increasing adoption of AI-driven applications in the region.
This development aligns with Microsoft’s commitment to sustainability in its data center operations. The company has previously emphasized its goal to power all operations with renewable energy by 2025, and the Sandnes facility is expected to leverage Norway’s abundant hydroelectric power. Microsoft’s expansion in Norway also reflects a broader trend among global cloud providers to invest in Nordic countries, where cool climates and green energy sources offer operational advantages.
The Sandnes data center will serve as a key node in Microsoft’s global network, enhancing redundancy and resilience for customers in the Norway East region. Industry analysts note that this move could accelerate digital transformation in sectors such as oil and gas, shipping, and fisheries, which are central to Norway’s economy. By localizing cloud infrastructure, Microsoft aims to reduce data transfer costs and improve compliance with European data protection regulations.
Source: datacenterdynamics
