AI & Data Centres in the Energy Transition

The rapid growth in AI-driven data centre investments is reshaping Norway's energy landscape, raising a critical question: How should Norway balance its emergence as Europe's AI data centre hub with its energy transition goals?

The country’s cold climate and competitive electricity prices have made it a prime destination for projects like OpenAI's Stargate Norway and Microsoft's $6.2B Narvik deal, placing unprecedented pressure on grid capacity and regulatory frameworks. As a frontrunner in Europe’s AI infrastructure expansion, Norway offers a unique opportunity to chart a path forward that can serve as a blueprint for the continent and beyond. This workshop brings together researchers, industry, system operators, and policymakers to co-create actionable recommendations for navigating both immediate uncertainties and emerging challenges.

Workshop agenda

Time	Title	Speaker
Morning session – Framing: Global & European perspectives
09:00–09:10	Opening remarks & welcome	Sébastien Gros, NTNU
09:10–09:25	Global AI energy demand & sustainable infrastructure
09:25–09:40	Energy for AI: Understanding data centre demand	Vincent Jacamon, IEA
09:40–09:55	Identifying the pathway to sustainable AI	Boris Gamazaychikov, Salesforce
09:55–10:20	AI in Europe’s energy system: Opportunities and risks	Aidan O’Sullivan, UCL
10:20–10:40	Panel discussion	Vincent Jacamon, Boris Gamazaychikov, Aidan O’Sullivan
10:40–10:55	Coffee break
10:55–11:10	AI in our society: How many data centres do we need?	Sébastien Gros, NTNU
11:10–11:25	Data centres as a source of flexibility	Meysam Qadrdan, Cardiff University
11:25–11:50	Leveraging AI for optimal connection of data centres	Ignacio Hernando Gil, INESC TEC / ESTIA
11:50–12:00	Panel discussion	Sébastien Gros, Meysam Qadrdan, Ignacio Hernando Gil
12:00–13:00	Lunch break
Afternoon session – Norwegian context & action
13:00–13:15	AI and data centres in Norway: Expected impacts	Magnus Korpås, NTNU
13:15–13:30	Challenges and possibilities for small power systems	Torbjørn Strømstad, Tydal Næringsselskap
13:30–13:45	The indirect footprint of AI	Yee Van Fan, University of Oxford
13:45–14:10	Panel discussion	Magnus Korpås, Torbjørn Strømstad, Yee Van Fan
14:10–14:30	Coffee break
14:30–14:45	What do we mean by “sustainable” data centres?	Kjetil Rommetveit, University of Bergen
14:45–15:00	Regulatory perspectives on data centres and energy	Catherine Banet, University of Oslo
15:00–15:15	Norway as a sustainable data centre destination	Benedicte Fasmer Waaler, Invest in Norway
15:15–15:30	Status quo, security and resilience	Hege Rønholt, Nkom
15:30–15:55	Panel discussion	Kjetil Rommetveit, Catherine Banet, Benedicte Fasmer Waaler, Hege Rønholt
15:55–16:00	Closing remarks	Mark O’Malley, Imperial College London

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Speakers

Vincent Jacamon
IEA – Energy and AI Expert

Boris Gamazaychikov
Salesforce – Head of AI Sustainability

Catherine Banet
University of Oslo – Professor of Law, Academic co-Director, CERRE

Benedicte Fasmer Waaler
Invest in Norway – Special Advisor, Data Centres

Torbjørn Strømstad
Tydal Næringsselskap – CEO

Hege Rønholt
Nkom – Head of Section, Data Centre Regulation

Meysam Qadrdan
Cardiff University – Professor of Energy Networks and Systems

Aidan O’Sullivan
University College London – Associate Professor in Energy and AI

Yee Van Fan
University of Oxford – Senior Researcher, Digitalisation, Circular Economy and Net Zero

Ignacio Hernando Gil
INESC TEC / ESTIA – Senior Researcher, Center for Power and Energy Systems

Sébastien Gros
Professor, NTNU

Magnus Korpås
Professor, NTNU

Kjetil Rommetveit
University of Bergen – Professor of Science and Technology Studies

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Registration