Finnish police have launched a criminal investigation into possible breaches of the country’s environmental laws at the site of a planned Google data centre in rural northern Finland.
Authorities allege that Tuike Finland, a Google subsidiary, cleared and drained 330 hectares (815 acres) of forest at the planned site in Muhos before environmental impact assessments required by Finnish law had been completed.
“Based on preliminary information, there have been ambiguities and shortcomings in the drainage and water management at the construction site of Tuike Finland Oy’s data centre project,” Finnish police said in a statement Thursday. “The criminal investigation will examine, among other things, circumstances related to these issues.”
The Scope of the Project
Finnish authorities are considering applications for a total of 145 new data centres at various stages of planning, including a €13 billion artificial intelligence infrastructure project by Google that the company has called its largest investment in Europe.
Earlier this month, Finnish authorities ordered Google to suspend work at two sites — Muhos and Otanmäki, about 100km to the south-east — after the company failed to complete environmental impact assessments before clearcutting the land. The Supervisory Agency told Google to halt “preparatory measures altering the environment.”
Campaigners estimate 250,000 trees have been felled at Muhos and 150,000 at Otanmäki.
Google’s Response
Google’s Finland country manager, Antti Järvinen, has apologised for the forest clearings but argued that the company had acted according to “the best understanding we had of the legislation at the time.”
The Finnish government has encouraged the projects. In September, when Google’s plans were announced, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said attracting investment was a “top priority” and the deal would “deliver lasting benefits.”
The National Debate
The revelations over Google’s alleged misconduct have sparked a national debate over what data centre deals mean for communities, the environment, and energy prices. The issue could impact parliamentary elections due in April.
More than 93,000 people have signed a petition demanding more data centre regulation and compensation for environmental damage. Experts say data centres bring a limited number of local jobs, and benefits on a national level are minimal.
“Really, for Finland, there are no benefits,” said Jussi Kangasharju, professor of computer science at the University of Helsinki. “They are international companies serving international customers. Data centres ultimately have little benefit for others except the data centre operator.”
The Bottom Line
Finnish police have launched a criminal investigation into Google subsidiary Tuike Finland for allegedly clearing 330 hectares of forest before environmental assessments were completed. Authorities ordered work suspended at two sites earlier this month. Google has apologised but said it acted on its best understanding of the law. The controversy has sparked a national debate and could influence April’s elections. More than 93,000 people have signed a petition demanding stricter regulation.
