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Google said on Sept. 9, 2026, that it will invest at least €13 billion in digital infrastructure in Finland over the next two years, marking what the company called its largest single investment in Europe. The spending is planned for 2027 - 2028 and includes data center and related infrastructure investments and partnerships in Hamina, Kajaani, Muhos and Vaala.
The company said the expansion builds on more than 15 years in Finland and will be paired with clean energy projects, nature restoration efforts, and community and workforce programs.
Google said the investment is expected to provide an annual average contribution of €3.6 billion to Finland's GDP during the initial construction phase in 2027–2028 and support more than 37,000 jobs nationwide. Of those, about 16,000 are expected to be in construction, with €911 million in average annual labor income across the sector.
Once the facilities are operating, they are projected to support 7,000 jobs annually, with labor income from jobs paying average wages 24% above Finland's median wage. Google said those roles would include on-site technical and facility jobs, supplier positions, and work supported in surrounding local businesses.
The company said the infrastructure will support digital readiness, innovation and AI development in Finland and Europe, and power services including Gemini, Search, Maps, and YouTube.
Google also pointed to its existing Hamina operation, which began after it bought a former paper mill in 2009 and converted it into a data center. The company said that from 2023 to 2025, its presence in Hamina supported an ecosystem of more than 600 Finnish suppliers across construction, operations and network infrastructure, including DNA, Elisa, and Nokia.
Google said the Hamina site is part of its network of 43 cloud regions and supports Finnish organizations including Nokia, Elisa, and the City of Hamina in delivering low-latency services and building AI-powered tools.
Alongside the infrastructure buildout, Google announced several energy-related agreements in Finland.
These include a partnership with Fingrid and Business Finland on identifying locations for infrastructure and grid-friendly connections, with the company saying that building in northern Finland rather than the south makes use of existing grid infrastructure near carbon-free energy sources.
Google also announced a 22-year life extension power purchase agreement with Fortum tied to the Loviisa nuclear power plant near Hamina. The company said the plant currently employs approximately 580 people, provides 10% of Finland’s electricity, and without the lifetime extension investment program could not continue operations beyond 2030.
In addition, Google said it signed a memorandum of understanding with Fortum to explore new flexibility capacity and new power generation capacity, including business models related to potential new nuclear reactors at the Loviisa site.
The company said it has added onshore wind PPAs with Valorem in the Ostrobothnia region and Suomen Hyötytuuli in the Ostrobothnia and Central Finland region, bringing the total new-to-the-grid onshore wind capacity it supports to 629 MW.
Google also said a contracted 94 MW battery system near its Kajaani site is expected to be operational in late 2027 to help balance the grid and stabilize electricity prices during cold, windless periods.
Google said it will invest in ecological restoration on former forestry lands adjacent to sites in Hamina, Kajaani, Muhos, and Vaala. The work will focus on regeneration of native forests, including peatland, wetland and nature conservation, as well as ecological corridors for wildlife.
The company said related local projects will also include recreational trails, public saunas, and piers for fishing and swimming, with any profits from selective tree harvesting donated to local initiatives.
Google said it is investing €31 million over four years in Hamina, Kajaani, Muhos, and Vaala through Economic Community Partnerships, with €10 million of that specifically earmarked for research & innovation.
It also said it will support municipal energy projects in those communities, including solar and heat-pump installations for low-income households, energy-efficiency renovations in public buildings, trail-lighting upgrades, and backup power solutions for emergency, health, and water services.
On workforce development, Google said more than 4,400 workers will be equipped with AI skills through Google.org’s AI Opportunity Fund, led by local partners including Oamk, Tieke and Xamk. Together with EKAMI, the company said it will launch a program to train up to 100 local Finnish students over one year for data center careers.
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‘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’, says Petteri Orpo, Prime Minister of Finland.
‘These investments are very welcome in Finland and demonstrate that it is possible to invest in AI infrastructure in a way that benefits both local communities and the broader energy system, including other energy users. This long-term approach and commitment are exactly what we need to generate value for both investors and Finnish society. A long-term agreement with an energy company helps ensure that new electricity generation capacity is developed to meet growing demand_'_, says Sari Multala, Minister of Climate and the Environment of Finland.
’Our partnership with Google is a true success story that began back in 2009. The collaboration has been absolutely great and exceptionally smooth, and we are very happy to see it deepening here in Hamina! The expansion of data center operations will further strengthen the economy and vitality of both the city and the entire region, bringing new opportunities and permanent jobs. We are truly looking forward to our shared future’, states Ilari Soosalu, Mayor of Hamina.
"Google’s investments in battery energy storage, nature conservation projects, and community partnerships demonstrate a clear, ongoing commitment to Kajaani. This decision underscores our region’s position as an emerging leader in sustainable digital infrastructure and the data economy. We are excited to build a lasting partnership that delivers real value for our community and supports a greener digital future’, says Joni Partanen, Mayor Kajaani.
‘This is a landmark moment for the Muhos municipality. The Google project not only represents a significant investment but also strengthens our position as a location for future growth, innovation, and sustainable development. We are excited to see this vision becoming reality’, adds Kimmo Hinno, Town Manager Muhos.
‘Google’s investment decision is very important for the Municipality of Vaala. It will help diversify local businesses and services. Vaala is located at a key point in Finland’s main electricity grid, which makes it an attractive location for industry and energy projects. At the same time, Vaala is a tourism municipality on the shores of Lake Oulujärvi, within a UNESCO Global Geopark area. Cooperation with Google has been excellent, with respect for the area’s unique features and natural values’, adds Minna Kärkkäinen, Mayor of Vaala.
‘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. At the community-level, Google is proud to support programs focused on advancing workforce development, education, and research – helping to unlock long-term economic opportunity both in Finland and across the broader European economy,’ says Ruth Porat, President and Chief Investment Officer of Alphabet and Google
‘Finland has a unique opportunity to turn its decarbonised, reliable electricity system and robust industrial infrastructure into a foundation for the next wave of sustainable industrial growth. Long-term partnerships like the one between Fortum and Google are essential to making that happen, especially in today’s uncertain market environment characterized by low visibility and highly volatile electricity prices. They provide the visibility needed to invest in new low-carbon power generation capacity, strengthen energy security and support new digital and industrial investments that create jobs, innovation and prosperity for Finland. Furthermore, our collaboration with Google provides a strong foundation for the continued development and reliable operation of our Loviisa power plant for decades to come,’ says Fortum’s President and CEO Markus Rauramo.
‘We welcome Google’s new projects in Muhos, Kajaani and Vaala where they can grow as there is significant grid capacity for electricity consumption in the production dominated north. Our aim is to keep the costs of the growing electricity system competitive, while reducing environmental impacts, and these locations at strong grid points both help the whole electricity system and ensure cost-effective network development’, says Asta Sihvonen-Punkka, President & CEO Fingrid.
‘We are pleased to deepen our partnership with Google by providing connectivity for its new data centres in Finland. Reliable, high-capacity connections will strengthen Finland’s digital infrastructure and security of supply while supporting local businesses and communities. Beyond creating jobs and investment, this project will help accelerate Finland’s AI ambitions by enabling low-latency access to AI and cloud services in a domestic operating environment,’ says Topi Manner, CEO of Elisa.
‘E__very AI token is a network moment. Billions of agents, devices, and people act on intelligence in real time, and every one of those moments depends on a network that is fast, secure and always on. Nokia builds those networks. And with Google we're co-innovating to deliver Optical and IP networks that move intelligence faster, farther and securely. Google is investing to create that future in Finland and we are proud to help them connect it to the world,’ adds Justin Hotard, President and CEO of Nokia
‘_Finland wants to be a partner to the world’s leading technology companies. Google’s investments are a strong sign of confidence in Finland and strengthen the infrastructure on which the digital economy and artificial intelligence are built. What is important for us is that these investments also generate new expertise, business activities and value creation in Finland,’
Google said the Finland expansion is intended to combine technical infrastructure growth with energy, community and environmental programs across the four locations.
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