Google ordered to halt work at two Finland data centre sites

KATHMANDU: Finnish authorities have ordered Google to halt environmentally significant preparatory work at two planned data centre sites until mandatory environmental impact assessments are completed, AFP reported.

The Finnish Licensing and Supervision Authority, LVV, directed Tuike Finland Oy, the company representing Google, to suspend work at the sites in Muhos and Kajaani immediately and no later than October 23.

The order covers tree removal, topsoil stripping, excavation, quarrying, crushing, soil transfers, drainage work and the construction of roads and storage areas. Planning, measurements, soil surveys and other activities with limited and easily reversible environmental effects may continue.

LVV said trees had already been removed, topsoil stripped, roads and storage areas built, and drainage systems altered at the two sites while the environmental assessment procedures remained incomplete. The assessments are expected to conclude before the end of 2026.

Tommi Muilu, head of LVV’s environmental department, said, “In our opinion, the measures in question will change the environment and cause impacts, the identification and assessment of which are among the key objectives of the EIA procedure.”

The regulator has asked Tuike Finland Oy to submit a written response by October 14 explaining how it intends to proceed. LVV said it could initiate enforcement proceedings if the company failed to comply.

The action follows scrutiny over extensive forest clearance at the proposed projects. The Finnish Association for Nature Conservation said more than 300 hectares of forest had been cleared at the Muhos site before the environmental assessment was completed.

Google acknowledged shortcomings and said it would comply with the regulator’s instructions.

“We understand the concerns and have fallen short of our own high standards in this instance,” a Google spokesperson said. “We will study the LVV’s findings and follow their guidance. We acted in good faith under the Forestry Act, and ran nature surveys and put in place measures to protect high-value areas.”

The company said its landscaping and biodiversity plans include planting trees across 130 hectares in Muhos.

The suspended projects are part of Google’s €13 billion investment programme for data centres and supporting infrastructure in Finland during 2027 and 2028. The programme covers operations and projects in Hamina, Muhos, Vaala and Kajaani.

As part of its Finnish expansion, Google has also signed a 22-year power purchase agreement with energy company Fortum covering up to 50% of the capacity of the Loviisa nuclear power plant. The agreement is due to begin at a lower level in 2028 and cover half of the plant’s capacity from 2030 to 2049.