Google has chosen Finland for its largest single investment in Europe, committing €13 billion to develop AI infrastructure across the country. The investment will fund the construction of three new data centers in Kajaani, Muhos, and Vaala, as well as the expansion of an existing facility in Hamina. To support the energy demands of these centers, Google signed a 22-year agreement with Finnish utility Fortum to purchase up to 50% of the electricity generated by the Loviisa nuclear power plant. This plant currently supplies about 10% of Finland's electricity.
Finland's cool climate, abundant low-carbon energy, and stable power grid make it an attractive location for data centers, which require significant energy for operation and cooling. The new infrastructure will support Google's AI services, including its Gemini chatbot, Search, Maps, and YouTube.
The project is expected to create over 37,000 jobs during construction and contribute approximately €3.6 billion annually to Finland's GDP. Google also plans to invest in clean energy initiatives and community programs focused on biodiversity, education, research, and workforce development.
Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo emphasized the country's strengths in digital infrastructure and responsible AI development, while Google highlighted its commitment to expanding technical infrastructure alongside energy capacity and grid improvements. The deal with Fortum will also help extend the operational life and capacity of the Loviisa nuclear plant.
This investment aligns with Alphabet's broader strategy to increase global computing capacity for AI, with the company recently raising its spending plans to $205 billion. Finland's combination of sustainable energy and skilled workforce positions it as a key player in the evolving AI data center landscape.