Norway's Progress Party proposes new regulations for data centers

The Progress Party (Frp) has introduced a plan to gain national control over the establishment of data centers in Norway. Party leader Sylvi Listhaug emphasized that while data centers are critical infrastructure for economic growth and AI, the current expansion lacks an overarching plan.

To manage the growing industry, which currently accounts for nearly 58 percent of the queue for new power consumption, Frp proposes several measures. These include requiring data centers to invest in power production, implementing fees for those waiting in power queues, and potentially allowing gas-fired power plants to support these facilities.

The party aims to ensure that essential services receive electricity first and seeks stricter transparency requirements to avoid what Listhaug describes as ‘American conditions’ in the debate. Frp has expressed a willingness to cooperate with the Labour Party if they pursue similar regulatory directions.