Costa News Spain Breaking News | English News in Spain.
QuNorth quantum technology. Credit:
Denmark plans to build a quantum computer that could be the most powerful commercial one in the world before the end of 2026.
€80m quantum leap
The project, backed by €80 million in funding from Denmark’s Export and Investment Fund (EIFO) and the Novo Nordisk Foundation, was unveiled this week under a new initiative called QuNorth. Goal: develop Magnea Level 2 quantum system capable of solving many problems beyond the capability of current supercomputers.
Microsoft will provide the quantum software while Atom Computing, a US-based company, will build the hardware. Construction is expected to begin in the autumn of 2025. Operations are anticipated to begin by early 2027. Magne and QuNorth are both based in Copenhagen, and will be owned by the Danish government.
“Quantum technology comes with enormous potential, and Denmark and the EU must seize this opportunity,” said Morten Bødskov, Danish Minister for Industry, Business and Financial Affairs. He warned that “Europe is falling back” in terms of critical technology while China, the US and other countries are pushing forward.Tech.eu).
The goal is to develop practical applications for drug discovery, climate models, and materials sciences.
Magne
Magne, the name of this computer, is derived from Norse legend. Magne is Thor’s son, a symbol for immense strength.
Jason Zander is Microsoft’s Executive vice president. He added that the collaboration between Denmark and Microsoft will “accelerate innovations across scientific breakthroughs”.Reuters).
QuNorth aims to provide researchers and companies in the Nordic Region with access to Magne. The initiative will help to attract talent, create academic partnerships and develop quantum applications. This will give Europe an edge.
Mads Krogsgaard-Thomsen, CEO at the Novo Nordisk Foundation said that the Nordic countries currently have limited access the most recent quantum computers available on the market. Our researchers and businesses are at risk of falling behind other regions.
With the UK already pledging £500 million (€585 million) to its own quantum strategy, and global powers ramping up investment, the race is heating up.
See all the latest news in technology.
See all the news from Denmark.
