Finnish police open criminal probe into environmental damage at Google data centre site

Centre · 1Finnish police said on Thursday 29 October that they have launched a criminal investigation into suspected breaches of environmental law at the construction site of a planned Google data centre in northern Finland. 1 Centre · 2Police said preliminary information showed ambiguities and shortcomings in drainage and water management at the site of Tuike Finland Oy, a Google subsidiary, and that the investigation will examine those circumstances among other things. 2 3 Centre · 1Detective Superintendent Kari Pakanen told Reuters police are investigating whether the company's operations breached the water act and caused environmental damage, and that a guilty finding could lead to a corporate fine; he declined to say whether individuals could become targets. 1

Centre · 1According to Yle, as reported by Anadolu, the Oulu Police Department is examining five investigation requests about the Muhos site, including one from the Finnish Supervisory Agency, and further suspected offences could emerge as inquiries progress. 3 Centre · 2Police plan an update in December, and the investigation is expected to extend into 2027. 1 3 Centre · 1Authorities have said Tuike Finland conducted forest clearing and drainage near the town of Muhos before the environmental impact assessments required under Finnish law had been completed. 1

Left · 1The Guardian reports that the cleared and drained area at Muhos covers 330 hectares (815 acres), and that campaigners estimate 250,000 trees were felled at Muhos and 150,000 at Otanmäki, about 100km to the south-east. 4 Centre · 2On 6 October the Finnish Supervisory Agency (LVV), which oversees environmental permits and assessments, ordered Google to halt preparatory work altering the environment at Muhos and a separate site, Kajaani-Otanmaki; Google confirmed on 14 October that it had stopped work at both. 1 3 Centre · 1Anadolu reported that regulators also found the water management plans insufficient, and that Tuike Finland has until 5 November to submit a more detailed plan covering drainage, monitoring and risks from heavy rain, melting snow and potentially acidic soils; failure to comply could bring enforcement, including a conditional fine. 3

Centre · 1Pakanen said it is up to LVV to decide on permits to restart work, and an LVV spokesperson said it was unclear how long that might take. 1 Centre · 1Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment; it has previously said it began preparatory works based on its understanding of the approvals required under relevant legislation. 1 Left · 1Google's Finland country manager, Antti Järvinen, has apologised for the forest clearings but argued the company acted according to "the best understanding we had of the legislation at the time", the Guardian reports. 4

Centre · 2The projects are part of Google's Finland investment, which CNA describes as $15 billion announced last month and Anadolu as €13 billion ($14.5 billion). 1 3 Centre · 1Finland's cool climate, low-carbon electricity and government support for AI have made it a major European data centre destination, with less vocal opposition than elsewhere; Prime Minister Petteri Orpo backed Google's plan last month, saying it would boost the economy and playing down worries about energy use and power prices. 1 Left · 1The Guardian says the case has sparked a national debate over what data centre deals mean for communities, the environment and energy prices, which could affect parliamentary elections due in April; more than 93,000 people have signed a petition for more data centre regulation and compensation for environmental damage, and Finnish authorities are considering applications for 145 new data centres. 4

Left · 1Jussi Kangasharju, professor of computer science at the University of Helsinki, told the Guardian that "for Finland, there are no benefits" from data centres, a view that contrasts with Prime Minister Orpo's description of the investment as a "top priority" that would "deliver lasting benefits". 4