Google told to halt work on datacentres in Finland over environmental concerns
Summary
Google has been ordered to temporarily stop work on two datacentres in Finland because it did not complete the required environmental impact assessments before starting construction. Finnish authorities want Google to pause all major changes at the sites until the assessments are finished and reviewed.Key Facts
- Google plans to build two datacentres in Muhos and Kajaani, Finland, as part of a large 13 billion euro project.
- Google’s local company cut down large areas of forest (330 hectares in Muhos and almost 200 hectares in Kajaani) without completing environmental impact checks.
- The Finnish Licensing and Supervision Authority (LVV) ordered Google to stop major work by 23 October until the environmental assessment is done.
- The environmental impact assessment is still ongoing and expected to be completed later this year.
- Google admitted it did not meet its own environmental standards and plans to follow LVV’s guidance.
- Google said it has taken measures like nature surveys and will plant trees on 130 hectares to improve biodiversity.
- Finnish nature conservation groups say the fast pace of datacentre construction is damaging the environment and overwhelming local authorities.
- If Google does not comply, LVV may impose fines or take further legal action.
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