Google has announced a significant investment of 13 billion euros (approximately $15.1 billion) in Finland over the next two years, marking its largest investment in Europe to date. The company stated that this investment underscores Finland’s leadership in responsibly developing AI infrastructure and reinforces Google’s commitment to the country.
The investment will include the construction of three new data centers in Kajaani, Muhos, and Vaala, alongside the expansion of an existing site in Hamina. These sites were chosen for their proximity to carbon-free energy sources and existing grid infrastructure. Finland’s cool climate is ideal for data centers, allowing for the heat generated by servers to be used to warm homes. Additionally, nearly 96% of Finland’s electricity is sourced from nuclear or renewable options.
Google has signed a 22-year agreement with the state-owned Fortum to purchase up to 50% of the electricity from the Loviisa nuclear power plant and is also investing in wind energy and a battery system to support energy balancing.
This project is expected to create over 37,000 jobs during the construction phase and support around 7,000 jobs post-completion, providing a much-needed economic boost to Finland. The country is currently facing challenges such as rising unemployment and slow economic growth, exacerbated by reduced trade with Russia and government fiscal tightening.
Finland’s Prime Minister Petteri Orpo hailed the investment as a testament to the country’s strengths. Overall, this move aligns with Alphabet’s goals to enhance its AI computing capabilities, reflecting the competitive landscape in artificial intelligence development.
