Start Campus & Nscale Team Up to Bring Nvidia Tech to SIN01

Start Campus and Nscale have announced the formation of a new partnership, which will see the firms deploy the Nvidia GB300 NVL72 platform at the SIN01 data centre in Sines, Portugal.

This marks the European Union’s inaugural deployment of the technology, positioning both Start Campus and Nscale as major contributors to Europe's AI infrastructure, as well as key allies in Microsoft's regional AI operations.

Nscale, an AI-native infrastructure company headquartered in Europe, selected the Start Campus site for its coastal location, scalability and immediate availability.

The high-performance infrastructure is scheduled to be operational by the first quarter of 2026.

Powering high-density AI workloads

The Nvidia GB300 NVL72 platform has been engineered for intensive AI training and inference, and it demands substantial compute power for large and complex AI models.

The deployment at SIN01 will accommodate rack densities greater than 130kW, delivering the necessary cooling and energy efficiency required for such high-density next-generation workloads. This infrastructure is critical for the advancement of AI capabilities.

"This is a defining moment for Start Campus. With SIN01 now at full capacity and being expanded on the back of oversubscribed demand, we’ve proven that the SINES Data Campus is one of the most desirable global locations prepared for ultra-dense next-generation AI workloads," says Robert Dunn, CEO of Start Campus.

"We're proud to partner with Nscale and Nvidia on this flagship deployment. We are also excited to now fully focus on launching our next data centre, the 180MW SIN02 facility on this campus," he adds.

Portugal's role in a sustainable digital economy

The project highlights Portugal's growing importance in the European data centre and AI sectors.

The SIN01 site’s infrastructure and its integration of renewable energy sources make Sines an attractive location for sustainable data centre investments.

Castro Almeida, Minister of Economy and Territorial Cohesion in Portugal, describes the project as evidence of the country's appeal for technology investment.

"This investment in Sines confirms the international confidence in Portugal as a destination for innovation and technology, strengthening our position in the global digital economy and creating conditions to attract talent and high-value-added investment,” he says.

He adds: “This is a remarkable example of how the country can lead the transition to a greener and smarter economy.”

Miguel Pinto Luz, Minister of Infrastructure and Housing of Portugal, notes that the project aligns with national infrastructure objectives and environmental commitments.

“Start Campus exemplifies two key aspects that are essential in the strategy for developing public policy around critical infrastructure,” Miguel says.

“First, it reminds us that we must govern with future generations in mind, ensuring the long-term sustainability of public policy.

"Second Sines demonstrates the convergence of the digital transition with Portugal’s unique geographic position – particularly this port, which holds a geostrategic role in becoming a leading digital hub for the future deployment of new submarine cables.

"This enables safe and sustainable investment in an ecosystem powered by renewable energy aligned with our 2028 carbon neutrality targets. Together we must bring this vision to life and make it a reality.”

Advancing AI with a focus on sustainability

Research by Copenhagen Economics forecasts that data centre investment could contribute up to €26bn to Portugal’s GDP by 2030, potentially creating tens of thousands of jobs and establishing the nation as a hub for sustainable digital infrastructure.

Josh Payne, Chief Executive Officer and founder of Nscale, says the partnership is a key step in providing the necessary computing capacity for global AI workloads.

“AI needs the right environment to thrive – ones that combine scale, resilience and sustainability,” Josh says.

"This deployment highlights our ability to deliver advanced infrastructure in the European Union with the technical depth required for today’s most demanding workloads," he adds.

"Partnering with Start Campus ensures we can meet the needs of our customers while laying foundations for the next generation of AI."

Portugal's progress in renewable energy supports the Sines campus's environmental credentials.

According to the national grid operator Redes Energéticas Nacionais (REN), renewable sources provided 71% of the country’s electricity in 2024, increasing to 81% in early 2025.

Energy prices in the country remain below the European Union and Euro Area averages, offering a competitive edge for data centre operations.

With SIN01 at capacity, Start Campus is already developing the 180MW SIN02 facility to accommodate further hyperscale and AI workloads.

This expansion, coupled with Nscale’s other European projects, including building the UK’s largest AI supercomputer with Microsoft and leading sovereign AI initiatives in the UK and Norway, demonstrates a shared goal of creating a scalable and sustainable digital infrastructure ecosystem.