Applied Digital, a U.S. based designer, developer, owner and operator of large-scale, purpose-built data centers to support high-performance computing workloads, including AI, machine learning, and other accelerated-compute applications, announced it has entered into an agreement providing access to up to 1 GW of potential power capacity in Finland, representing the Company’s first development opportunity outside of the United States.
With this agreement, the Company plans to build a large-scale AI Factory campus capable of scaling to as much as 1 GW. Initial power availability is anticipated beginning in 2028. Applied Digital has begun marketing the site and is currently engaged in discussions with leading global hyperscale customers.
While Applied Digital’s near-term development strategy and execution priorities remain firmly centered on its growing U.S. portfolio, the company stated Finland represents a measured first step toward selectively extending the Company’s platform into attractive international markets over time. The agreement was structured to provide meaningful long-term growth potential while limiting the Company’s initial exposure and maintaining disciplined capital deployment.
“Applied Digital has built its platform around identifying the right power in the right markets and turning that power into operational AI capacity,” said Wes Cummins, Chairman and CEO of Applied Digital. “Finland stood out because many of the characteristics that have supported our success in North Dakota are also present in the Nordics — a favorable climate, an attractive energy ecosystem, strong connectivity and the ability to develop at meaningful scale.”
Cummins continued, “This is a deliberate first step, not a change in our strategy. Our focus remains firmly on executing the projects in front of us in the United States. At the same time, as we continue building Applied Digital into a category leader in AI infrastructure, we believe it is important to selectively secure compelling sites that can extend our growth runway over the long term.”
“Our ability to scale is not about planting flags in as many markets as possible,” Cummins said. “It is about identifying exceptional sites and applying the same disciplined model repeatedly. We have demonstrated that model across our U.S. portfolio. Finland gives us the opportunity to begin proving that platform can travel.”
Pictured: Polaris Forge 1, Applied Digital's Ellendale campus, US.
