{
  "id": 15787156,
  "title": "Major Data Center Developer Rents Floating Prison Barge to House Contract Construction Workers",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/major-data-center-developer-rents-floating-prison-barge-to-house",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-20T19:12:49.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Futurism",
    "slug": "futurism",
    "url": "https://futurism.com/future-society/data-center-nscale-norway-prison-barge-workers"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A 30-megawatt hyperscale data center project in Glomfjord, Norway, is experiencing significant delays, having only reached 6.4 megawatts in operation six months into development. Developed by British data center company Nscale, the facility has faced setbacks due to costly errors, cooling system leaks, labor issues, and an electrical fire. Workers have reported long shifts without proper training or safety measures, with Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority investigations revealing poor personnel records. To expedite completion, Nscale plans to hire hundreds of additional contractors and, due to hotel room shortages in Glomfjord, is resorting to unconventional housing options. The data center developer has secured 500 cots from a vessel known as The Kalmar, a former three-story prison barge used to detain migrants. Local residents are not supportive of the development, with the mayor expressing hopes for only 40 permanent jobs, while a Red Party parliamentarian states that developers prioritize profit over Norway's interests, extracting value without creating local jobs.",
  "summary": "Talk about a commute. The post Major Data Center Developer Rents Floating Prison Barge to House Contract Construction Workers appeared first on Futurism .",
  "key_points": [
    "Nscale data center project delayed in Glomfjord, Norway",
    "500 cots from former prison barge to house contractors",
    "Local opposition due to lack of permanent job promises"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}