On Tuesday, the Finnish Licensing and Supervision Agency ordered Google to halt construction activities for data center projects in Muhos and Kajaani until the environmental impact assessments are complete.
Tuesday’s suspension request pertains to activities including tree removal, topsoil removal, excavation, quarrying, crushing, soil transfer, ditching, and the construction of roads and storage areas, as stated in a Google translation of the LVV press release.
The LVV ordered Google to stop work by Oct. 23.
“We understand the concerns and have fallen short of our own high standards in this instance,” a Google spokesperson stated following the work stoppage.
“We acted in good faith under the Forestry Act, and ran nature surveys and put in place measures to protect high-value areas,” the spokesperson said. “As we continue our long-term work in the region, we are advancing our landscaping and biodiversity plans, which include tree planting across 130 hectares at Muhos.”
“In our opinion, the measures in question will change the environment and cause impacts, the identification and assessment of which are among the key objectives of the EIA procedure,” stated Tommi Muilu, head of the environmental department at the Finnish licensing and supervision authority.
The stoppage comes as Finland has emerged as a key location for data centers, with billion-dollar investments this year from Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Anthropic.
By CEO NA Editorial Staff
