Finland Orders Halt to Google Data Centre Projects Over Environmental Concerns

The Finnish government has ordered work to stop at two planned Google data centre sites after authorities raised concerns over environmental regulations.

The Finnish Supervisory Agency (LVV) directed Tuike Finland, the company representing Google, to immediately suspend preparatory activities at the proposed sites in Muhos and Kajaani. The order requires the suspension of activities that could significantly alter the environment by October 23, 2026, at the latest.

Authorities are investigating whether hundreds of hectares of forest were cleared at the sites without the mandatory environmental impact assessments.

According to LVV, trees have already been removed, topsoil stripped, roads and storage areas constructed, and drainage ditches altered. The Finnish Association for Nature Conservation said more than 300 hectares of forest had been cleared, including areas considered important for conservation.

Tuike Finland has been asked to explain the situation and outline how it plans to proceed by October 14. Failure to comply could result in enforcement action.

Google spokesman Sondre Ronander acknowledged the concerns and said the company would review the agency's findings and follow its guidance. He added that Google was developing landscaping and biodiversity plans, including tree planting across 53 hectares in Muhos.

Google announced in September that it would invest €13 billion ($14.6 billion) in Finland's digital infrastructure over the next two years to support its growing artificial intelligence operations. The company has described the projects in Muhos, Vaala, Kajaani and Hamina as its largest investment in Europe.

Finland has attracted major data centre investments because of its cool climate, low-carbon electricity and reliable power grid. However, the rapid expansion of AI-related infrastructure has raised concerns over electricity demand, environmental damage and rising energy prices.

Finnish opposition parties have called for a national permit system to prevent possible power shortages and increases in electricity costs caused by the growing number of data centres.

As part of Google's investment, the company also agreed to a 22-year deal to purchase up to half of the electricity generated by Finland's Loviisa nuclear power plant. The agreement is expected to help extend the plant's operation until 2050, instead of its previously planned closure in 2030.

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