Google has been ordered to halt preparatory work at two Finnish data centre sites after clearing hundreds of thousands of trees without completing required environmental impact assessments, fuelling opposition to the technology industry’s expanding artificial intelligence infrastructure.
The company felled an estimated 250,000 trees across 330 hectares near Muhos in northern Finland and another 150,000 trees near Otanmäki, about 100 kilometres southeast, according to environmental conservationists.
The Finnish Licensing and Supervision Authority (LVV) ordered Google earlier this month to temporarily stop work at the two locations, citing the company’s failure to complete the necessary environmental impact assessments before clearing the land.
The decision has intensified scrutiny of Finland’s efforts to attract data centre investment, as the country seeks to balance economic development with environmental protection, electricity costs and the interests of local communities.
Google’s Finland country manager, Antti Järvinen, apologised last week for the forest clearings but said the company had acted “on the best understanding we had of the legislation at the time”.
The Muhos site, which stretches about 3 km by 2 km and lies roughly 400 metres from the Oulujoki River, has been stripped of trees and topsoil. Residents and environmentalists say muddy water from the development is flowing into a stream that feeds the river.
Mari Annala, an ecologist with the Finnish Association for Nature Conservation, said the scale of the clearing was difficult to comprehend.
“It doesn’t end. It goes on and on,” she said, describing the area after reviewing drone footage of the site.
Hanna Halmeenpää, chair of the association’s board, said she was stunned by Google’s actions, arguing that the company had taken advantage of a regulatory system built largely on trust.
“At first I couldn’t believe it,” she said. “I have never heard that any company has done anything like this in Finland.”
“They bought the vast land area and they just started to cut it, just like that,” she said. “It’s pure arrogance and it’s amazing.”
Finland has become an increasingly attractive destination for data centre developers because of its cool climate, abundant land, relatively stable geopolitical environment and access to energy.
About 145 data centre projects are at various stages of planning in the country, as technology companies expand infrastructure to support growing demand for AI computing.
Google’s Finnish developments form part of a 13 billion euro ($15.1 billion) investment in AI infrastructure, the largest project of its kind in the Nordic country.
The investment has drawn criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has called for the company to reconsider building the facilities in Finland rather than the United States.
The Finnish government has welcomed the investment as it seeks to revive economic growth amid deep public spending cuts.
Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said last month that attracting investment was a “top priority” and that “the value of the data economy extends far beyond direct investment”.
He said the Google project would “deliver lasting benefits for both parties”.
But the forest clearings have prompted questions about the environmental costs of data centre expansion, the use of Finland’s renewable energy to serve international technology companies and whether local communities will receive sufficient economic benefits.
More than 93,000 people have signed a petition calling for stricter data centre regulation and fees to compensate communities for environmental damage.
Orpo has described the events in Muhos as a “cold shower”.
Jussi Kangasharju, head of computer science at the University of Helsinki, said data centres could create some local jobs and stimulate economic activity but offered limited benefits to Finland at a national level.
“Really, for Finland, there are no benefits,” he said. “They are international companies serving international customers. Very little corporate taxes go to Finland. Datacentres ultimately have very little benefit for others except the datacentre operator.”
The debate has also exposed tensions between local authorities seeking investment and environmentalists concerned about the long-term consequences of rapid development.
Some campaigners are calling for a centralised body to coordinate data centre projects, rather than leaving decisions largely to municipalities that may prioritise immediate economic gains.
In Muhos, resident Antti Jakonen said he objected to the manner in which the forest had been cleared, despite the relatively small share of Finland’s overall forest cover represented by the development.
“It has been done in the wrong way. American style. No sense. No sense at all,” he said.
Jakonen, a former entrepreneur and fisherman, wants Google to compensate the community by helping restore the local salmon population, which was destroyed decades ago by hydropower development.
In Otanmäki, residents say the construction has disrupted wildlife and raised concerns about noise and water quality.
Anni Ranta, whose family has lived in the former mining village for generations, said wolves had moved into the settlement after the forest was cleared.
“We had wolves coming into the village because all the wild animals moved out of the forest,” she said. “They fled.”
Ranta also raised concerns about construction noise, saying the area’s hard rock geology could amplify the sound.
“Even when we are standing here talking,” she said, stamping her feet, “it’s like a drum.”
She said she was considering moving away and feared the data centre could make the village a target for Russia, with which Finland shares a long border.
“I don’t want them here,” she said of Google. “I don’t want them in Finland at all. I don’t like the whole idea of AI and the world changing and the way it’s changing. It’s going too fast, too soon.”
Her father, retired wilderness guide Pentti Korhonen, said the water in a nearby stream had turned brown since the forest was cleared.
“There is no need at all for datacentres in Finland. No need for datacentres at all,” he said.
Vesa Hyyryläinen, a biologist and chair of the local conservation association district, said the clearing had displaced three-toed woodpeckers that nested in the forest.
“I wonder why we have to sacrifice so much of our nature. They give everything away too easily,” he said.
Hyyryläinen said he understood why authorities were seeking investment and jobs in a region facing an ageing population and an exodus of young people.
“Young people go to Helsinki and Berlin and Paris,” he said. “There are so few people. We have to sacrifice.”
Finland’s environment ministry said it was monitoring the sector’s development and the application of relevant legislation.
Veli-Matti Uski, director general of the ministry, said the government was “monitoring the general development of the [datacentre] sector, [and the] application of its legislation, and is prepared to propose legislative amendments as necessary”.
Google said it was working to protect water quality at the Muhos site and planned to plant trees across 130 hectares.
Conservationists have questioned whether the replanting would adequately compensate for the damage caused by the clearing.
A company spokesperson said Google had operated in Finland for 15 years and had consistently sought to comply with environmental and other requirements.
“We have operated in Finland for 15 years and have always worked to meet or exceed zoning, environmental, health and safety requirements.
“After receiving the LVV letters on 6 October, we stopped preparatory works at Muhos and Kajaani [where the Otanmäki site is located] and have submitted a formal response to LVV confirming this.
“We will fully comply with LVV’s requests in this matter. We look forward to maintaining an active, open dialogue with all authorities to strengthen our partnership with Finland and local organisations.”
The controversy is expected to feature prominently in Finland’s political debate ahead of parliamentary elections in April, as lawmakers face growing pressure to establish clearer rules for data centre development.
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