Alphabet subsidiary Google has announced plans to invest at least €13 billion in artificial intelligence infrastructure and digital operations across Finland over a two-year period spanning 2027 and 2028, marking the tech giant’s single largest investment in Europe to date.
Google Commits at Least €13 Billion to Finnish AI and Energy Expansion
The build-out will establish data centres and supporting infrastructure across four municipalities: Hamina, Kajaani, Muhos, and Vaala. According to Ruth Porat, President and Chief Investment Officer of Alphabet and Google, the initiative builds on more than 15 years of operations in the Nordic country that began with the conversion of a former paper mill in Hamina into a data centre in 2009.
The new northern data centres will utilize local cold ambient temperatures—which can drop well below minus 10 degrees Celsius in winter—alongside existing grid infrastructure near carbon-free energy sources to maintain server cooling efficiently.
Nuclear Power and Clean Energy Agreements
As part of its strategy to secure reliable baseload electricity, Google has entered into a 22-year power purchase agreement with Finnish utility Fortum. The agreement provides the long-term economic certainty required to support a life-extension and upgrade program for the Loviisa nuclear power plant, which supplies approximately 10% of Finland’s electricity and employs around 580 people. Fortum stated that without the investment, the plant could not continue operating beyond 2030.
Additionally, Google and Fortum have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore potential new generation capacity and flexibility at the Loviisa site, including the commercial viability of potential new nuclear reactors. Ruth Porat described the approach to reporters in Helsinki as bring your own power.
To further reinforce local energy supply, Google has added onshore wind power purchase agreements with Valorem and Suomen Hyötytuuli in the Ostrobothnia region, bringing its total new onshore wind capacity in Finland to nearly 630MW. The company has also contracted a 94MW battery system near Kajaani, scheduled to be operational in late 2027 to help balance the grid during low-wind periods.
Economic Impact and Local Workforce Integration
The infrastructure expansion is projected to contribute an average of €3.6 billion annually to Finland’s gross domestic product during its construction phase. Google estimates the project will support more than 37,000 nationwide jobs during construction—including roughly 16,000 construction roles—and sustain 7,000 jobs annually once operational.
Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo noted that the agreement will stimulate innovation and research while easing public concerns over energy consumption. Based on all the information available, there is enough electricity,
Orpo said, adding that the partners are committed to keeping electricity production sufficient and prices under control.
Minister of Climate and the Environment Sari Multala stated that the investments demonstrate that AI infrastructure can be expanded in a manner that supports both local communities and the broader energy system. Alongside the technical rollout, Google is committing €31 million over four years to economic community partnerships across the four host municipalities. This funding includes €10 million dedicated to research and innovation, municipal solar and heat-pump installations for low-income households, and workforce training programs targeting artificial intelligence skills and data centre careers.
