Helsinki, October seventh Google’s plan to expand its data centre presence in Finland has been paused after Finnish authorities raised concerns about forest clearing. The Finnish Supervisory Agency ordered a halt to preparatory work at the sites earmarked for new facilities in Muhos and Kajaani. The agency pointed to the removal of trees and topsoil, the building of access roads and storage zones, and alterations to drainage ditches that proceeded without the required environmental impact assessment.
Google acknowledged that its own standards were not met in the early stages of the project and said it will follow the agency’s direction moving forward. The company confirmed that the broader expansion proposal includes the construction of new data centres in Kajaani, Muhos and Vaala, as well as additional investment in its existing centre located in Hamina.
Officials noted that the investment is expected to sustain a substantial number of jobs across the region. They also said the project would contribute a significant yearly amount to Finland’s national economy, supporting various sectors linked to construction, operations and services. In related developments, Google signed a long‑term power purchasing agreement with the Finnish energy firm Fortum.
The agreement covers a considerable share of the output from the Loviisa nuclear power plant and is set to run for an extended period, providing a stable electricity supply for the data centre operations. The suspension highlights the tension between large‑scale digital infrastructure projects and the preservation of natural habitats in northern Europe.
Observers said the outcome will depend on how quickly the company can adjust its plans to satisfy the environmental review requirements demanded by the supervisory body. Looking ahead, stakeholders will watch whether Google revises its site preparation methods to obtain the necessary permits. The next steps will involve renewed dialogue between the company, the LVV and local authorities to determine whether the expansion can proceed while meeting forest protection standards.
