Google Pledges €13bn for Digital Infrastructure Expansion Across Finland

Google has committed to investing €13 billion ($15.13bn) in digital infrastructure across Finland over 2027 and 2028, marking the company's largest single investment in Europe to date. The plan encompasses data center development and supporting infrastructure in Hamina, Kajaani, Muhos, and Vaala, reinforcing Google's long-standing presence in the Nordic country while significantly scaling its technical footprint.

The commitment builds on more than 15 years of sustained investment. Google first entered Finland in 2009 by acquiring a former paper mill in Hamina and converting it into a data center — a facility cooled by seawater that has undergone numerous upgrades over the past decade and a half. In 2022, the company purchased 50 acres of adjacent land to accommodate further expansion. More recently, Google acquired 1,400 hectares in Kajaani and Muhos from state-run forest agency Metsähallitus in 2024, and added 900 hectares in Vaala in February of this year for a potential data center project, though detailed plans for those sites had not been disclosed until now.

The scale of the investment is expected to generate significant employment. Google estimates the buildout will create approximately 16,000 construction jobs in Finland, part of a total of 37,000 jobs generated. Once operational, the facilities will employ around 7,000 people. The investment also extends to energy initiatives, including a Power Purchase Agreement with Fortum to extend the life of the Loviisa nuclear power plant, two onshore wind projects developed by Valorem and Suomen Hyötytuuli, and a 94MW battery system to be located near Google's Kajaani site — reflecting a strategy that pairs infrastructure expansion with new energy capacity, grid enhancements, and energy affordability measures.

"Finland is an attractive destination for investments, and attracting further investment remains a top priority. Google's decision is a clear testament to our strengths. The value of the data economy extends far beyond direct investment into spurring innovation, research, and development. Deepening our collaboration with Google will deliver lasting benefits for both parties," said Petteri Orpo, Prime Minister of Finland.

Ruth Porat, president and chief investment officer of Alphabet and Google, added: "Google is proud to deepen our roots in Finland with the company's largest single investment in Europe, building on more than 15 years of sustained investment in Finland. This investment underscores Google's commitment to grow our presence responsibly, pairing the expansion of our technical infrastructure with new energy capacity, grid enhancements, and energy affordability initiatives."

The announcement signals the growing strategic importance of the Nordic region as a hub for hyperscale data center development, driven by abundant renewable energy resources, favorable cooling conditions, and supportive government policies. For Finland, the investment represents a substantial endorsement of its digital economy ambitions and is likely to catalyze further interest from other global technology firms evaluating the region for large-scale infrastructure projects.