Google has announced that it will invest at least €13 billion in data centers and artificial intelligence infrastructure in Finland during 2027 and 2028. Reports published by Reuters and The Wall Street Journal on September 9, 2026, based on the company’s announcement, describe the program as Google’s largest single investment in Europe. It covers an expansion of the existing Hamina facility, new capacity in northern Finland, electricity-grid improvements, and clean-energy projects.
More computing capacity for AI services
Google says the infrastructure will support rising demand for services including Gemini, Search, Maps, and YouTube. Training and operating artificial intelligence models requires substantial computing power, while the facilities housing that equipment need reliable electricity and cooling. Finland offers a combination of a cool climate, a stable grid, and access to lower-carbon power, factors that can make it attractive for large data-center projects.
The company already has a long operating history in Finland. Google converted a former paper mill in Hamina into a data center and developed a cooling system that uses seawater from the Gulf of Finland. The new program extends beyond server buildings to the energy and network infrastructure needed to operate them. Reuters reported a company estimate that construction could contribute €3.6 billion to Finland’s economy and that the completed facilities could have an annual employment impact of about 7,000 jobs. These are projections rather than guaranteed outcomes and will depend on execution.
A 22-year electricity agreement with Fortum
A long-term power purchase agreement with Finnish energy company Fortum is a central part of the energy plan. According to Fortum’s announcement and independent coverage, Google will purchase 50% of the capacity of the Loviisa nuclear power plant from 2030 through 2049. The contract was described as a 22-year agreement. Loviisa provides a meaningful share of Finland’s electricity, and the arrangement is intended to give Fortum predictable revenue for investments connected to extending the plant’s operating life.
Google President and Chief Investment Officer Ruth Porat said the transaction is the company’s first nuclear-energy agreement outside the United States. Google and Fortum will also examine possible new nuclear and renewable-energy development in Finland. The broader investment includes onshore wind resources and battery capacity designed to help stabilize electricity supply and prices. Together, those elements are intended to provide dependable power for data centers while managing their effect on the grid.
Balancing economic gains and energy demand
Large data-center developments can create demand for construction, engineering, and technology workers, but they also require careful planning around power consumption, grid connections, and local prices. Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said during the announcement that the country has sufficient electricity for the investment. The ultimate impact of the €13 billion program will still depend on the timing of construction, completion of grid connections, and implementation of the related energy contracts.
Google’s Finland plan illustrates how the artificial intelligence race has expanded beyond chips and software. Physical buildings, cooling systems, power generation, batteries, and long-term electricity contracts now form one connected infrastructure chain. By combining digital capacity with energy investment, the company is seeking to secure the resources needed for sustained growth in AI computing. Google is expected to implement the program in stages, while opening dates and precise capacity for individual new facilities will become clearer in later announcements.
