Google announced on Wednesday a €13 billion investment in Finland over the next two years in digital infrastructure projects, including data centers dedicated to running artificial intelligence models.
"This is Google's largest investment in Europe and underscores Finland's leading role in the responsible development of AI infrastructure," the company said in a statement.
These investments will fund the construction of data centers and other partnerships in the Hamina, Kajaani, Mohs, and Vala regions.
The funds will also cover "clean energy projects" and will be directed toward "nature and community funds to support biodiversity, education, research, and workforce development," according to Google.
Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo was quoted as saying, "Google's decision clearly demonstrates our strengths. The value of the data economy extends far beyond direct investment, encompassing the drive for innovation, research, and development."
- Cold Climate and Low-Cost Electricity -
Finland has seen a boom in data center projects in recent years thanks to relatively low electricity costs and a cold climate, with dozens already launched.
Attracting investment in this sector is a priority for the right-wing government of Petteri Orpo, at a time when the Scandinavian country is facing record unemployment.
The tech giant Google has been steadily expanding its presence in Finland since 2009, when it acquired a former paper mill in the coastal city of Hamina and converted it into a data center.
Since then, the site has become one of 43 Google cloud computing centers, relying on hundreds of Finnish suppliers for construction, operations, and network infrastructure.
The construction phase of these new investments is scheduled for 2027 and 2028.
According to Google's estimates, these investments will contribute €3.6 billion annually to Finland's GDP and will support "more than 37,000 jobs" in the Scandinavian country, including 16,000 in the construction sector.
Following the construction phase, the operation of these facilities is expected to support approximately 7,000 jobs annually, primarily in on-site technical operations and infrastructure maintenance, as well as with equipment and service providers, and in local shops, restaurants, and services frequented by these workers and their families.
Google stated that these projects "will form a cornerstone for the development of digital readiness, innovation, and artificial intelligence in Finland and across Europe."
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