A Finnish regulatory body has stopped construction work on two Google data centre sites until the tech giant completes required environmental impact assessments.
The Finnish Supervisory Agency (LVV) issued the order on Tuesday after investigators found that workers cleared hundreds of hectares of forest, stripped topsoil, built site roads and storage areas, and altered ditches without completing mandatory environmental checks first.
At the Muhos site alone, more than 300 hectares of forest have been cleared. When AFP reporters visited the location last week, Hanna Halmeenpaa, chair of the Finnish Association for Nature Conservation, said workers had logged “nature sites which should be preserved.”
Tommi Muilu, who heads the LVV’s environment department, confirmed the extent of the changes to both sites in Muhos and Kajaani. The agency launched its investigation after learning that Tuike Finland, a company representing Google, made these significant environmental alterations without the required assessments.
Construction must stop immediately
The LVV ordered Tuike Finland to stop all work that would significantly change the environment at both sites. The company must halt operations immediately, with a final deadline of 23 October 2026.
Google announced plans in September to invest 13-billion-euro (approximately R241.49 billion) in Finland’s digital infrastructure over the next two years. The company wants to use the data centres to power its artificial intelligence operations across four Finnish municipalities: Muhos, Vaala, Kajaani and Hamina. Google calls this its single biggest investment in Europe.
Company has days to respond
Tuike Finland now has to explain what happened and detail how it plans to move forward. If the company ignores the order, the agency may start enforcement proceedings.
Google spokesman Sondre Ronander admitted the company made mistakes.
“We understand the concerns and have fallen short of our own high standards in this instance,” he told AFP in a statement. “We will study the LVV’s findings and follow their guidance.”
Ronander said Google “acted in good faith” and carried out environmental surveys and measures. He added the company plans to plant trees across 130 hectares at Muhos as part of its landscaping and biodiversity plans.
Minister warns of delays
Finland’s Minister of the Environment and Climate Sari Multala warned the environmental issues will likely delay Google’s projects.
“This is a serious matter: all companies operating in Finland must comply with the law. In this case, that has not happened,” Multala told newspaper Helsingin Sanomat on Tuesday.
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