Finland suspends Google's data center construction pending environmental review

Finland's licensing authority LVV has notified Google's subsidiary Tuike Finland Oy, asking it to pause data center construction in Muhos and Kajaani until an environmental impact assessment is completed. Google has been told to stop cutting trees, clearing topsoil, digging, and quarrying.

Just last month, Google announced it would invest 15 billion US dollars in Finland to build AI infrastructure. As the AI boom heats up, Finland has become a new hotspot for tech companies building data centers, thanks to its land and stable power supply, while much of Europe faces power shortages.

A Google spokesperson said the company understands the authority's concerns and admits the project did not meet its own high standards. The company stressed it followed the local Forest Act and carried out nature surveys. Google also plans to plant trees covering 130 hectares in Muhos to protect local biodiversity.