Google Ordered to Halt Finland Datacentre Construction 2026

Google has been ordered to halt construction on two datacentres in Finland over environmental impact concerns. The Finnish Licensing and Supervision Authority (LVV) issued a notice requiring the company to immediately suspend preparatory measures at sites in Muhos and Kajaani until proper environmental impact assessments (EIA) are completed. The decision follows revelations that Google's subsidiary, Tuike Finland Oy, cleared 330 hectares of forest in Muhos and nearly 200 hectares in Kajaani without the required assessments.

Background: Google's €13bn Finland Datacentre Project

Google's planned datacentres in Muhos and Kajaani are part of a massive €13 billion investment across multiple sites in northern Finland. The project aims to meet soaring demand for cloud infrastructure and online services. However, the rapid expansion has raised alarms among environmental groups and regulators.

The Finnish Association for Nature Conservation (FANC) criticised the sites, stating they had been reduced to "sand" and blamed the "overheated" datacentre market for the oversights. The LVV's intervention highlights growing scrutiny of Big Tech's environmental footprint.

Regulatory Action: LVV's Order and Deadlines

On Tuesday, the LVV issued a notice to Tuike Finland Oy to "immediately suspend" all preparatory measures that significantly change the environment at both sites. The order must be complied with by 23 October at the latest. Google has until next Wednesday to submit a written explanation.

The EIA is ongoing and expected to be completed later this year, but Google had already proceeded with extensive preparatory work, including felling trees, stripping topsoil, and constructing access roads. The LVV's action underscores the legal obligation to assess environmental impacts before major construction.

Environmental Impact of Datacentre Construction

Datacentres are energy-intensive and require significant land and water resources. In Finland, the rapid build-out has led to deforestation and habitat loss. The table below summarises the key environmental concerns associated with Google's project.

These impacts are compounded by the carbon footprint of datacentre operations, which rely on continuous power and cooling. While Google has committed to carbon-free energy by 2030, the construction phase itself has significant environmental consequences.

Key Takeaways

• Google must suspend work on two Finland datacentres due to missing environmental impact assessments.
• The LVV ordered a halt by 23 October, with Google required to explain its actions.
• Environmental groups blame the "overheated" datacentre market for regulatory oversights.
• The project is part of a €13bn investment in northern Finland, raising concerns about deforestation.
• Google's EIA is ongoing, but preparatory work has already caused significant environmental changes.

What This Means for Big Tech and the Environment

This case sets a precedent for how European regulators handle the environmental impact of large-scale tech infrastructure. As demand for datacentres grows, companies must balance expansion with compliance and sustainability. The LVV's action signals that environmental laws will be enforced, even against global giants like Google.

For local communities and ecosystems, the suspension provides a chance to reassess the true cost of digital infrastructure. It also raises questions about whether the tech industry's push for AI and cloud services can be reconciled with environmental protection.

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