OSLO: Norway in no mood to lag behind the rapid forward leaps recorded by near neighbours Sweden and Denmark, has rolled out an ambitious new strategy to position the country as a leading location for IT-datacentre operations.
The project development strategy now being championed by prime minister Erna Solberg’s conservative-led government, under its Norway As A Data Centre Nation (NADCN) plan, represents a shot across the collective bow of Denmark and Sweden.
These near neighbours have been hugely successful in using their cold climates and easy access to renewable energy to attract significant datacentre investments. The strategy also comprises reform legislation to fast-track the construction of datacentres. It aims to clarify planning regulations relating to the building of datacentres. Moreover, a new process is being implemented, at national and local council level, to simplify procedure requirements linked to public highway excavation works.