All posts by Margrethe Harboe

AmCham’s Tech Talent Network at Microsoft: Tech Geopolitics & AI Era Innovation

AmCham News,

AmCham’s Tech Talent Network at Microsoft: Tech Geopolitics & AI Era Innovation

AmCham’s Tech Talent Network (TTN) gathered at Microsoft Norway’s offices, with Nordic Director of Government Affairs Kristine Beitland warmly welcoming participants and addressing the era of tech geopolitics. Beitland emphasized the need for knowledge sharing on fast-paced technological developments for robust regulatory frameworks, especially during periods of global instability. “We are all in the same ballgame to protect democracy,” she stated.

Innovation at Microsoft in the Era of AI

National Technology Officer at Microsoft Norway, Christopher Frenning, took participants on a journey through time and leadership, explaining Microsoft’s development from the 1970s to the “AI era” we are now all experiencing. Like Beitland, he emphasized the need for cooperation, but also among tech companies, arguing that “innovation cannot be constrained – we must use the knowledge that is out there.” An important driver of this innovation is inclusivity and partnership, both among coworkers and customers, which has been vital for Microsoft’s success. The not invented here syndrome, he asserted, is a thing of the past.

A special thanks to Stine Saatvedt for giving us an office tour and to all the TTN participants for their engagement!

About the AmCham Tech Talent Network

TTN is a non-competitive arena for knowledge sharing, professional development, and expanding international market insights, currently open to select Patron-level technology industry member representatives. Exclusive quarterly sessions with industry leaders and external speakers create opportunities for collaboration and leadership development.

For further information and interest in the program, please contact Ragnhild.Dalen@amcham.no.

Bulk Data Centers unveils plan for data center expansion following unprecedented demand

Business News, Technology

Kristiansand, Norway – 23rd January, 2024 – Bulk Data Centers, the leading provider of ultra-scalable, highly connected, and sustainable data centers in the Nordics, today announced that construction has commenced of a new 42MW data center facility scheduled for completion this year.

“The rapid growth in occupancy at the N01 Data Center Campus underscores the undeniable demand for highly scalable, cost-effective, and sustainable solutions. The success of our strategic approach is reflected in the trust from our owners and partners, which will help us to build data centers of the future that meet the demands of our growing customer base,” said Gisle M. Eckhoff, Executive Vice President, Bulk Data Centers at Bulk Infrastructure.

The new facility will offer 42MW of IT space, designed to accommodate the latest generation of high-density GPU and CPU infrastructure. It will include air cooling and direct liquid cooling capabilities of up to 100kW+ per rack.

This is on the back of the successful launch of a 12MW data center facility at the N01 Data Center Campus, which was ready for service in 2023 and is now fully contracted due to high demand.

Scaling with focus on low-cost and sustainability

The new 42MW facility will be constructed at the 300-hectare site and connect to the existing 125MVA dual onsite sub-stations.

In addition to the current construction-ready levelled land area of 265,000 sqm, Bulk will also undertake the preparation of an additional 300,000 sqm to facilitate future expansion of the data center facilities.

Bulk Data Centers takes a long-term strategic approach in the site master planning, combined with innovative proven colocation designs to reduce lead time and enable the fastest time to market.

Read full article here

The State of American Business Data Center 2024

Business News, Statistics

The indicators in the State of American Business Data Center help measure the health of business and the economy. At the start of 2024, many indicators are trending in a positive direction, while others lag. 

The pandemic disrupted our economy and basic way of life, but because of the resilience and resourcefulness of the private sector, we have surpassed many pre-pandemic economic benchmarks. American businesses continue to drive innovation and make meaningful investments in their employees, in their communities, and for the betterment of the planet. 

The U.S. Chamber’s 2024 State of American Business event on January 11, will celebrate and highlight how American businesses serve customers, solve problems and strengthen society.   

Read full report here.

62 new production licenses offered in the APA 2023 licensing round

Business News, Government, Shipping & Offshore

The Norwegian Ministry of Energy offers 62 new production licenses on the Norwegian continental shelf in the APA 2023 licensing round. Last year, 47 licenses were awarded.

– Awarding new licenses through the Awards in Predefined Areas is a pillar in the continued development of the Norwegian shelf. To see such great interest in further exploration activity is very encouraging. This is important for both employment and value creation, as well as for facilitating Norway’s role as a stable energy supplier to Europe, says Minister of Energy, Terje Aasland.

Awards in Predefined Areas (APA) is an annual exploration round for the most mature areas of the Norwegian continental shelf. Of the 62 production licenses offered in APA 2023, 29 are located in the North Sea, 25 in the Norwegian Sea, and eight in the Barents Sea.

In total, 24 oil companies are offered parts in one or more of these licenses. 16 companies are offered one or more operatorships. A binding work program is linked to all the licenses.

Read full article here.

BlackRock to sell 365 MW of wind farms to Norwegian utility

Business News, Energy

Bergen-based utility Eviny has sealed a deal to buy two operational wind farms with a combined capacity of 365 MW in Norway from US investment giant BlackRock Inc (NYSE:BLK) for EUR 537.5 million (USD 584.9m) in enterprise terms.

The transaction concerns the 197-MW Guleslettene and the 168-MW Tellenes wind power generating facilities on the west coast of Norway, according to a statement released Tuesday.

The Guleslettene plant is situated in the municipalities of Bremanger and Kinn. The site is equipped with 47 turbines and produces about 700 GWh of clean power annually.

Read full article here.

Norway’s Oil and Gas Companies to Step Up Exploration This Year

Business News, Shipping & Offshore

Norwegian oil and gas companies will drill more exploration wells this year as the country seeks to maintain its position as a key supplier to Europe.

Between 40 and 50 wells are expected to be completed, up from 34 last year, the Norwegian Offshore Directorate said Thursday. More than half of the 23 wildcat wells undertaken last year found hydrocarbons, it said.

Read full article here.

A Message from the Managing Director – January 2024

AmCham News

A Message from the Managing Director

Warm New Year’s Greetings to the AmCham Community!

As we ramp up for what promises to be an exciting year within our sprawling transatlantic business community, a few reflections on our shared road ahead. Though key business indicators are quite mixed across AmCham’s multiple member industry groups, a sense of stoic determination overwhelmingly prevails amongst leaders. Proudly, AmCham member companies are at the forefront of collaboration, renewal and talent development – necessary ingredients in an escalating transitional period ahead.

For AmCham, collaboration with our many internationally oriented members, US and Norwegian government partners, Stortinget, key industry associations, Nordic counterparts – and partner organizations across the United States – is key to providing true insight. All have ideas on what AI, IRA, public cloud, critical minerals, taxes & tariffs, legislative proposals, political maneuvering and geopolitical rivalry mean for their businesses – few alone can accurately assess the related opportunities and threats. AmCham’s far-reaching community can and does.

Jason Turflinger

For our members – and by default for AmCham – renewal is a constant. A quick look at our membership directory is an inspirational testament to long-term bilateral investors that are reshaping their operations and strategies on an ongoing basis. For them, reliance upon past success formulas is not an option. Norway and the US continue to provide competitive operating environments for these companies to thrive, but regulatory stability, transparency and fair market access must prevail.

Our collective talent development efforts help ensure that our members’ accomplished people remain at the center of the transition equation. AmCham’s unique cross-industry Mentorship Program, which includes representatives from 30 companies, is one such longstanding initiative. Similarly, our new Tech Talent Network (TTN) enables rising member talents to expand their leadership skills amongst capable peers and directors.

In the year ahead, AmCham’s meeting and event calendar will include multiple Sustainability, Financial and Defense Forums, our Transatlantic Assembly (Apr), Arendalsuka (Aug), ONS in Stavanger (Aug), our 24th annual Golf Tournament (Aug), an ongoing US Election series and our traditional Thanksgiving Charity (Nov). In other words, there will be ample opportunities for the AmCham community to come together, learn together, and move forward – together!

Empire Wind 2 offshore wind project announces reset, seeks new offtake opportunities

Business News, Shipping & Offshore

Equinor and bp today announced an agreement with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to terminate the Offshore Wind Renewable Energy Certificate (OREC) Agreement for the Empire Wind 2 project, an offshore wind project in the US with potential generative capacity of 1,260 MW.

This agreement reflects changed economic circumstances on an industry-wide scale and repositions an already mature project to continue development in anticipation of new offtakeopportunities. The decision recognizes commercial conditions driven by inflation, interest rates and supply chain disruptions that prevented Empire Wind 2’s existing OREC agreement from being viable.

Equinor and bp believe offshore wind can be an important part of the energy mix and are committed to maintaining substantial contributions to the state and local economy.

“Commercial viability is fundamental for ambitious projects of this size and scale. The Empire Wind 2 decision provides the opportunity to reset and develop a stronger and more robust project going forward,” said Molly Morris, president of Equinor Renewables Americas. “We will continue to closely engage our many community partners across the state. As evidenced by the progress at the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal, our offshore wind activity is ready to generate union jobs and significant economic activity in New York.”

“bp is supportive of NYSERDA’s leadership and commitment to offshore wind, which we believe is a critical part of New York State’s and America’s clean energy future,” said Joshua Weinstein, bp’s president of offshore wind Americas. “Offshore wind can deliver reliable renewable power as well as economic benefits to the state and its communities.”

The Empire Wind 1 and Empire Wind 2 projects recently reached a key federal permitting milestone, having received the federal Record of Decision from BOEM; last month, Empire Wind 1 also received its Article VII Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need in New York.

Read full article here.

Flokk styrker posisjonen i USA betydelig

Business News, Communications/PR/Media

Stolprodusenten Flokk har signert en avtale om å kjøpe USA-baserte Stylex.

Flokk, som blant annet har fabrikk i Røros, er ledende europeisk produsent av kontorstoler og møbler, og styrker nå sin posisjon i det amerikanske markedet ved å kjøpe USA-baserte Stylex.

– Stylex passer perfekt sammen med 9to5 Seating, vår nåværende USA-baserte merkevare, sier Lars I. Røiri, administrerende direktør i Flokk i en pressemelding.

Oppkjøpet er ventet å bli gjennomført 31. januar 2024

Stylex vil fortsette å operere selvstendig som en merkevare i Flokk-porteføljen, ledet av administrerende direktør Bruce Golden.

Siden selskapet ble startet av Golden-familien i 1956 har Stylex laget funksjonelle produkter med høyt designnivå.

Read full article here.