Finland orders halt to construction of two Google data centres over forest clearance

According to the BBC, Finnish authorities have ordered a halt to building work at two planned Google data centres in Muhos and Kajaani. The Finnish Supervisory Agency (LVV) said work at one site was carried out without a mandatory environmental impact assessment and ordered measures that would 'significantly alter the environment' to be suspended by 23 October. Le Monde reported that regulators ordered the company representing Google in Finland to stop building data centres until it can demonstrate compliance with environmental laws.

According to LVV's head of environment Tommi Muilu, the preparatory work included the removal of trees and topsoil, the construction of site roads and storage areas, and changes to ditches. The BBC also reported that Hanna Halmeenpaa, chair of the Finnish Association for Nature Conservation, had told AFP that 'nature sites which should be preserved' had been felled. Le Monde noted that officials are investigating whether trees and soil were cleared before the company carried out an impact study.

Google said it had 'fallen short of our own high standards in this instance' and would follow the agency's guidance. The BBC stated that Tuike Finland, the company behind Google's data centre projects, has been asked to provide an explanation and set out how it intends to proceed by 14 October. The agency said it could begin enforcement proceedings if the company failed to comply with its demand.

According to the BBC, Google announced last month a record €13bn investment in Finland over 2027 and 2028, describing it as its largest single investment in Europe. According to the BBC, Google said the construction phase in 2027 and 2028 would support more than 37,000 jobs and contribute an average of €3.6bn a year to Finland's economy. According to the BBC, Google also signed a 22-year power purchasing agreement with Finnish energy company Fortum covering up to half the capacity of the Loviisa nuclear power plant, which Fortum said would help support the plant's continued operation until 2050. According to the BBC, Finland's cool climate and low-carbon electricity make it attractive for data centres, as lower temperatures can reduce the energy needed to cool server-filled facilities.