Google to invest €13bn in AI data centres in Finland

On 9 September 2026 Google announced plans to invest around EUR 13 billion in 2027–2028 to expand its AI/data-centre infrastructure in Finland — the company's largest single investment in Europe. This covers the existing Hamina site (expansion) plus three new builds in Kajaani, Muhos and Vaala. Google estimates the construction-phase employment effect at roughly 37,000 jobs nationwide (about 16,000 directly in construction) and around 7,000 'supported' jobs a year once operational (direct and indirect, per Google's press release); as this is an impact estimate rather than announced hires, no jobs figure is counted here. The project is paired with a 22-year power purchase agreement with Fortum to extend the life of the Loviisa nuclear plant, plus 629 MW of new onshore wind capacity and a 94 MW battery storage system (Yle, 9 September 2026). Update (06.10.2026): Finland's Permit and Supervision Authority (LVV) has ordered Google's subsidiary Tuike Finland to halt preparatory works at the Muhos and Kajaani data centre sites by 23.10.2026 at the latest until the environmental impact assessments are complete – covering tree felling, excavation, blasting and the construction of site roads, among other things. According to Google, about 330 ha of forest have already been cleared in Muhos and just under 200 ha in Otanmäki (Kajaani); the assessments are expected to conclude in 2026 (LVV, 06.10.2026; Daily Northern/Yle, 06.10.2026). Update (26.10.2026): According to Baxtel, Google confirms the pause of work at Muhos and Kajaani, country manager Antti Järvinen apologised, a petition for tighter rules has over 93,000 signatures, and the authority LVV will decide after the environmental impact reports expected at the end of 2026 (Baxtel, 26.10.2026). Update (29 October 2026): Google subsidiary Tuike Finland confirmed on 14 October 2026 that preparatory work at Muhos and Kajaani-Otanmäki had been suspended. Oulu police have opened a preliminary investigation into suspected environmental damage at the Muhos site; Tuike must submit a detailed water management plan by 5 November 2026 (Yle, 29 October 2026).