“TikTok cat videos” in Norway hamper ammunition production for Ukraine

The Nordic Ammunition Company, better known as Nammo, is one of Europe’s largest ammunition manufacturers. The company needs to expand to meet the needs of Ukraine – but TikTok thwarts its plans: the video servers need so much electricity in the region that nothing is left for production.

Nammo was founded in 1998 as an amalgamation of the munitions companies of Sweden, Finland and Norway. It is 50 percent owned by the Finnish security company Patria and 50 percent by the Norwegian state.

Although Nammo’s range consists largely of ammunition, it is very diverse in this area. From small caliber to shoulder-launched anti-tank weapons to large caliber mortar rounds, everything is included.

It has its headquarters and production site in Raufoss, about 150 km north of Oslo. A new factory would also be built there to meet Ukraine’s ammunition needs. But the construction cannot be carried out because the electricity capacity is not available. Because: A nearby data center, of which TikTok is the largest customer, consumes all the power.

In fact, the internet giant is building three more data centers in the area in 2023 and two more are planned. Morten Brandtzæg, Nammo’s general manager, does not rule out that the Chinese platform “is not merely accidental” hindering the production of ammunition in Europe.

Local energy company Eliva confirmed to the Financial Times that no energy is wasted: electricity is distributed on a first come, first served basis. If the Nammo needed more energy, the preparation would take a long time.

Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, the demand for ammunition in Europe has increased rapidly. According to Nammo, Ukraine is currently using 60,000 cartridges per day and would like to increase this number to 65,000.

(cpf)