Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 4 hrs ago
Finland investigates Google over possible environmental crime at data centre site
Finnish police are investigating Google’s subsidiary over possible environmental damage during work for a planned data centre in Muhos, in central Finland.
The inquiry began after police received five complaints, including one from Finland’s licensing and supervision agency, LVV.
The agency had ordered work to stop at planned data centre sites in Muhos and Kajaani, saying land was cleared and prepared before required environmental impact studies were completed.
It says about 530 hectares were cleared across the two municipalities; another account says roughly 250,000 trees were cut in Muhos alone.
Police found possible problems with drainage and water management at the Muhos site and say other potential offences may emerge.
Google plans to invest at least 13 billion euros in Finland over the next two years to expand data centre and AI infrastructure, including facilities serving products such as Gemini, Search and YouTube.
The investigation may not finish until 2027, and Google’s broader construction plans are part of its largest investment in Europe to date.
Finnish police have opened a preliminary investigation into Google’s Finnish subsidiary over possible environmental crime linked to a data centre site in Muhos.
Police said preliminary information showed inaccuracies and deficiencies in drainage and water management at the construction site.
The investigation followed five separate complaints and is expected to continue into 2027.
Finland’s supervisory authority had ordered work to stop at sites in Muhos and Kajaani, citing work carried out before environmental impact assessments were completed.
Google apologized for the clearances, said it had acted according to its understanding of the law at the time, and pledged to plant trees on 130 hectares.
- Who
- Finnish police are investigating Tuike Finland Oy, Google’s subsidiary in Finland.
- What
- A preliminary investigation is examining possible environmental crime during preparation of a data centre site, including drainage and water-management work.
- When
- Police announced the investigation on Thursday, October 29, 2026; it is expected to continue into 2027.
- Where
- The investigation concerns the planned data centre site in Muhos, central Finland.
- Why
- Police opened the investigation after receiving five complaints, including one from Finland’s licensing and supervisory authority.
Environmental critics
Legal compliance
Google said it had acted according to its understanding of the law at the time.
Environmental critics
Critics say the work began before the required environmental impact assessment and caused serious harm.
Remedy
Google pledged to cooperate with authorities, protect water quality and plant trees on 130 hectares.
Environmental critics
Environmentalists say the proposed tree planting is inadequate given the damage.
Finland’s licensing and supervisory authority ordered work to stop in Muhos and Kajaani.
20 Minuten reported that the authority had provisionally halted preparatory work at both sites.
Finnish police announced a preliminary investigation into Tuike Finland Oy after receiving five complaints.
Police expect the preliminary investigation to conclude no earlier than this year.
- Company under investigation
- Tuike Finland Oy, Google’s Finnish subsidiary
- Investigation site
- Muhos, central Finland
- Complaints received
- Five
- Trees in Muhos
- Nearly 250,000, according to Finland’s supervisory authority
- Planned replanting
- 130 hectares
- Expected investigation end
- 2027
3 sources
What people are saying
This is pure arrogance – incredible.
According to preliminary information, inaccuracies and deficiencies have been detected in the drainage and water management at the construction works for Tuike Finland Oy’s data centre project.
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