Finnish police investigate Google data centre site
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on TimesLIVE
Finnish police are investigating possible breaches of environmental legislation during the clearing and drainage of the site of a future Google data centre near Muhos, northern Finland. Authorities will examine water management and plan an update in December, while the investigation could continue until 2027, according to TimesLIVE.
Finnish police have opened a criminal investigation into possible breaches of environmental legislation during preparatory work for the data centre that Google is planning in Muhos, in the north of the country. Investigators are examining in particular whether drainage operations breached the Water Act and caused environmental damage, chief inspector Kari Pakanen said, according to TimesLIVE.
Google subsidiary Tuike Finland allegedly cleared a forest and carried out drainage work before the environmental impact assessments required under Finnish law had been completed. A conviction could result in a fine for the company. Police have identified preliminary ambiguities and shortcomings in water management at the site; they plan to provide an update in December and say the investigation will continue in 2027.
On 6 October, Finland’s LVV supervisory agency ordered the suspension of preparations altering the environment in Muhos and at another site. It is up to this agency to decide whether the work can resume. Google said it would co-operate with the police and respond to requests from the LVV and other authorities.
The project is part of a $15 billion investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure in Finland announced by Google the previous month and described by the company as its largest investment in Europe.
