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

Morning session – Framing: Global & European perspectives
09:00	Opening Remarks & Welcome Sébastien Gros, NTNU
Global AI Energy Demand & Sustainable Infrastructure
09:10	Energy for AI: Understanding Data Centre Demand Growth and its Implications for the Energy System Vincent Jacamon, IEA
09:25	Identifying the Pathway to Sustainable AI: Status Quo vs Potential Boris Gamazaychikov, Salesforce
09:40	AI in Europe's Energy System: Opportunities and Challenges Aidan O'Sullivan, UCL
Panel 1 discussion Moderator: Sébastien Gros, NTNU Panellists: Vincent Jacamon (IEA), Boris Gamazaychikov (Salesforce), Aidan O’Sullivan (UCL)
10:20	Coffee Break
Data Centres, Grid Integration & Power System Flexibility
10:40	AI in Our Society: How Many Data Centres Do We Really Need? Sébastien Gros, NTNU
10:55	Data Centres: An Emerging Source of Flexibility for Power Systems Meysam Qadrdan, Cardiff University
11:10	Leveraging AI for Optimal Connection of Data Centres to the Power Grid Ignacio Hernando Gil, INESC TEC / ESTIA
Panel 2 discussion Moderator: Magnus Korpås, NTNU Panellists: Sébastien Gros (NTNU), Meysam Qadrdan (Cardiff University), Ignacio Hernando Gil (INESC TEC / ESTIA)
11:50	Morning Wrap-Up & Summary Reda El Makroum, TU Wien
12:00	Lunch break
Afternoon session – Norwegian context & action
Beyond the Data Centre: Local Impacts and the Hidden Costs of AI
13:00	AI and Data Centres in Norway: Expected Impacts on Norwegian Power Systems and Implications for Decarbonisation Magnus Korpås, NTNU
13:15	Challenges and Possibilities with AI for a Small Municipality Torbjørn Strømstad, Tydal Næringsselskap
13:30	What We Talk About Less: The Indirect Footprint of Digitalisation Yee Van Fan, University of Oxford
Panel 3 discussion Moderator: Mark O’Malley, Imperial College London Panellists: Magnus Korpås (NTNU), Torbjørn Strømstad (Tydal Næringsselskap), Yee Van Fan (University of Oxford)
14:10	Coffee break
Governance, Regulation & Norway's Data Centre Future
14:30	What Do We Talk About When We Say That We Want to Regulate 'AI'? Kjetil Rommetveit, University of Bergen
14:45	Data Centres and the Energy System: Regulatory Perspectives and Current Developments Catherine Banet, University of Oslo
15:00	Norway as a Sustainable Data Centre Destination: Investment Landscape and Opportunities Benedicte Fasmer Waaler, Invest in Norway
15:15	Data Centres in Norway: Status Quo, Security and the Way Forward Hege Rønholt, Nkom
Panel 4 discussion Moderator: Alexander Iversen, DNV Panellists: Kjetil Rommetveit (University of Bergen), Catherine Banet (University of Oslo), Benedicte Fasmer Waaler (Invest in Norway), Hege Rønholt (Nkom)
15:55	Closing Remarks Mark O’Malley, Imperial College London
16:00	End of workshop

speakers ai data etw

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
Innovasjon Norge – 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

reg knapp ai

Registration