Google to Invest €13 Billion in Finland AI Infrastructure Over Two Years

Google has announced plans to invest at least €13 billion in digital infrastructure in Finland over the next two years, marking its largest single investment in Europe and deepening a commitment to the Nordic country that stretches back more than 15 years. The investment, unveiled on September 9, 2026, covers data center and supporting infrastructure in Hamina, Kajaani, Muhos and Vaala, alongside clean energy projects and dedicated nature and community funds.

The announcement signals growing momentum behind efforts to expand AI infrastructure across Europe at a time when demand for computing capacity is surging and governments are competing to attract investment in the digital economy. Google described the move as a testament to Finland's leadership in responsibly building AI infrastructure, demonstrating what can be achieved through strong partnerships to create long-term community value and world-class environmental sustainability. The new digital infrastructure is expected to power Google services including Gemini, Search, Maps and YouTube that support European users and businesses daily, while serving as building blocks for Finnish and broader European digital readiness and AI development.

Google's presence in Finland dates back to 2009, when it bought a former paper mill in Hamina and converted it into a modern data center. Over that period, the company has supported more than 40 social and community organizations while pioneering environmental initiatives such as a seawater-based cooling system and offsite heat recovery distribution to local homes and businesses designed to cover 80% of the annual heat needs for the Hamina district heating network. From 2023 to 2025 alone, Google's operations in Hamina supported an ecosystem of more than 600 Finnish suppliers across construction, operations and network infrastructure, including DNA, Elisa and Nokia, creating a multiplier effect for the economy.

During the initial construction phase from 2027 to 2028, the initiative is expected to contribute an annual average of €3.6 billion to Finland's GDP and support more than 37,000 jobs nationwide. Approximately 16,000 of those positions are estimated to be in construction, generating €911 million in average annual labor income across the sector. Once operational, the facilities are projected to support 7,000 jobs annually, generating labor income with average wages 24% above Finland's median wage. The Hamina site is part of Google's global network of 43 cloud regions, enabling Finnish organizations including Nokia, Elisa and the City of Hamina to deliver high-performance, low-latency services and scale their own AI-powered solutions.

Google also announced a series of local energy partnerships and investments aimed at strengthening the Finnish grid. The company is partnering with Fingrid and Business Finland to identify locations for infrastructure and grid-friendly connections, building new data centers in Finland's northern rather than southern region to utilize existing grid infrastructure near carbon-free energy sources. A 22-year life extension power purchase agreement with Finnish energy company Fortum will provide the long-term revenue certainty needed to support a lifetime extension program for the Loviisa nuclear power plant, which currently employs approximately 580 people and provides 10% of Finland's electricity. Without the extension, the plant could not continue operations beyond 2030.

A memorandum of understanding with Fortum will explore and advance cooperation on new flexibility capacity and new power generation capacity, focusing on delivering additional carbon-free, reliable electricity and identifying business models to improve the commercial viability of potential new nuclear reactors at the Loviisa site. Additional onshore wind power purchase agreements with Valorem and Suomen Hyötytuuli bring the total new-to-the-grid onshore wind capacity supported by Google to 629 MW. A new contracted 94 MW battery system near Google's site in Kajaani is expected to be operational in late 2027, providing flexibility to help balance the grid and stabilize electricity prices during cold, windless periods.

Alongside energy investments, Google outlined a community-first model supporting Finland's national action plan to protect biodiversity and restore degraded ecosystems. The company will invest in ecological restoration of former forestry lands adjacent to its data center sites in Hamina, Kajaani, Muhos and Vaala, focusing on native forests, peatland, wetland and nature conservation, as well as safeguarding ecological corridors for local wildlife. The projects will also provide year-round accessible recreational trails, public saunas and piers for fishing and swimming, delivered through community-led initiatives using exclusively native species. Any profits from selective tree harvesting will be donated to local initiatives.

Google is investing €31 million over a four-year period in Hamina, Kajaani, Muhos and Vaala to support local community initiatives focused on education and economic growth, with €10 million specifically earmarked for research and innovation. The company will also support high-impact municipal energy projects providing low-income households with solar and heat-pump installations, conducting energy efficiency renovations in public buildings, upgrading recreational trail lighting and expanding backup power solutions for emergency, health and water services. Funding will support AI education programs delivered with local vocational colleges and labor organizations, with more than 4,400 workers set to receive essential AI skills through Google.org's AI Opportunity Fund. Together with EKAMI, Google will launch a workforce development program to train up to 100 local Finnish students over one year for new data center careers.

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said Finland is an attractive destination for investments and that attracting further investment remains a top priority, describing Google's decision as a clear testament to the country's strengths. Sari Multala, Minister of Climate and the Environment, said the investments demonstrate that it is possible to invest in AI infrastructure in a way that benefits both local communities and the broader energy system, adding that a long-term agreement with an energy company helps ensure new electricity generation capacity is developed to meet growing demand. Ruth Porat, President and Chief Investment Officer of Alphabet and Google, said the company is proud to deepen its roots in Finland with its largest single investment in Europe, pairing the expansion of technical infrastructure with new energy capacity, grid enhancements and energy affordability initiatives.

Fortum President and CEO Markus Rauramo said long-term partnerships like the one between Fortum and Google are essential to turning Finland's decarbonised, reliable electricity system into a foundation for sustainable industrial growth, providing the visibility needed to invest in new low-carbon power generation capacity. Fingrid President and CEO Asta Sihvonen-Punkka said the aim is to keep the costs of the growing electricity system competitive while reducing environmental impacts. Elisa CEO Topi Manner said the project will help accelerate Finland's AI ambitions by enabling low-latency access to AI and cloud services in a domestic operating environment, while Nokia President and CEO Justin Hotard said every AI token is a network moment and that Nokia is co-innovating with Google to deliver optical and IP networks that move intelligence faster, farther and securely.