Finland orders halt to work on two Google data centres
5 hours ago
- Finnish authorities ordered a halt to construction work at two Google data centre sites due to environmental concerns over deforestation of over 300 hectares.
- The work was found to lack a mandatory environmental impact assessment, and the LVV agency ordered a suspension of activities that would significantly alter the environment by October 23.
- Google acknowledged it 'fell short of its own high standards' and said it would follow regulatory guidance, while planning to plant trees across 130 hectares in Muhos.
- The data centres are part of Google's record €13 billion investment in Finland, its largest single investment in Europe, which also includes a 22-year power purchase agreement with Fortum for nuclear energy.
- Tuike Finland, the project company, was asked to provide an explanation and outline next steps by October 14, with possible enforcement proceedings if non-compliant.