Finland’s environmental regulator has ordered Google to suspend major preparatory work at two proposed data centre sites after large stretches of forest were cleared before the completion of mandatory environmental impact assessments, raising concerns over the ecological consequences of the technology giant’s artificial intelligence infrastructure expansion.
The Finnish Licensing and Supervision Authority (LVV) directed Google’s local subsidiary, Tuike Finland Oy, to stop activities that could significantly alter the environment at the proposed sites in Muhos and Kajaani until the required environmental assessment procedures are completed. The action follows the removal of hundreds of hectares of woodland, including an estimated 250,000 trees at Muhos in northern Finland. Environmentalists have estimated that another 150,000 trees were cut at the second site.
According to reports, approximately 330 hectares of forest were cleared at Muhos, while nearly 200 hectares were affected at Kajaani. The preparatory work reportedly involved removing trees and topsoil, constructing access roads and storage areas, modifying drainage channels and installing stormwater management systems.
The regulator maintained that such extensive activities could substantially change the environment and potentially cause impacts that must be identified and assessed through the prescribed environmental review process. The suspension covers major land-clearing and construction preparation activities, although planning, surveying, soil investigations and other work with limited and easily reversible environmental effects can continue.
The controversy has also drawn attention to the possible consequences for local ecosystems and water sources. Residents and environmental groups have raised concerns about muddy runoff from the cleared sites entering nearby waterways, including streams connected to the Oulujoki River. The large-scale removal of forest cover has also prompted concerns about the disturbance of wildlife habitats and the impact on surrounding communities.
The development has put Google’s environmental commitments under scrutiny as the company pursues an ambitious expansion of its artificial intelligence infrastructure in Finland. The proposed facilities form part of a multibillion-euro investment plan announced by Google to strengthen its data centre network in the Nordic country.
Google has acknowledged the concerns surrounding the land-clearing activities and apologised over the incident. Antti Järvinen, the company’s country manager in Finland, said Google had acted according to its understanding of the applicable legislation at the time.
The company has also acknowledged that it fell short of its own standards and said it would comply with the regulator’s directions. As part of its proposed environmental measures, Google has indicated plans to plant trees across approximately 130 hectares at the Muhos site. However, environmental campaigners have questioned whether the proposed replanting would adequately address the damage caused by the extensive forest clearance.
The case has intensified debate in Finland over the rapid growth of data centre infrastructure and the need to balance technological investment with environmental protection. The country has become an attractive destination for technology companies because of its cool climate, energy infrastructure and availability of land, all of which are important considerations for facilities that require substantial computing capacity and cooling systems.
However, the expansion has raised questions about the environmental footprint of data centres, their electricity requirements and the extent to which local communities benefit from such investments. A citizens’ initiative seeking tighter regulation of data centre projects and compensation for environmental damage has attracted more than 93,000 signatures, according to reports.
Google announced plans to invest approximately €13 billion, or around $15 billion, in Finnish AI infrastructure, making the country a significant part of its European expansion strategy. The latest regulatory intervention highlights the importance of completing environmental assessments before undertaking extensive site preparation, particularly as demand for data centres grows alongside the rapid development of artificial intelligence.
