In Finland, the police have launched a criminal investigation into possible breaches of environmental legislation during the preparation of the site for the construction of a Google data centre. A subsidiary of the tech giant has cleared and drained 330 hectares of forest in the north of the country without completing the mandatory environmental impact assessment. Investigators are examining the activities of Tuike Finland, the company implementing Google’s project near the town of Muhos.
- The Finnish police have launched a criminal investigation into the preparation of the site for a Google data centre.
- A Google subsidiary has cleared and drained 330 hectares of forest near the town of Muhos.
- Environmentalists estimate that around 400,000 trees have been felled at the two sites.
- The authorities have suspended preparatory work pending the completion of the environmental impact assessment.
Google has cleared hundreds of hectares of forest without completing an environmental assessment
According to the Finnish authorities, extensive tree felling, land drainage and site preparation have been carried out on the site of the future data centre.
Environmental organisations estimate that The number of trees destroyed in Mukhos is approximately 250,000. According to their estimates, a further 150,000 trees were felled at another Google site in Otamäki.
The police have reported shortcomings in the organisation of wastewater management and water resource management. The investigation is set to determine whether the company breached environmental legislation and caused damage to the environment.
The Finnish authorities have halted work at two sites
As early as 6 October, the Finnish regulatory authority demanded that preparatory work at the sites in Mukho and Otanmäki be halted until the environmental impact assessment had been completed. Google. confirmed that the relevant work had been halted and stated that it was prepared to cooperate with the authorities.
Head of Google’s Finnish division Antti Järvinen apologised for the large-scale felling, whilst noting that the company had acted in accordance with its own interpretation of the legal requirements.
The investigation could continue until 2027. If the company is found to have committed any breaches, it faces a fine.
Google’s €13 billion investment project has sparked protests
Construction data centres It forms part of Google’s large-scale investment programme in Finland, worth 13 billion euros. The project involves the development of artificial intelligence infrastructure and energy capacity.
The Finnish Government supports these investments, hoping they will bring economic benefits and create new jobs.
At the same time, the deforestation has sparked public outrage. More than 93,000 people have signed a petition calling for stricter regulation of data centre construction and for compensation for environmental damage.
The supervisory authority has requested that Tuike Finland submit a more detailed water management plan for the site in Muhos by 5 November.
