Google has been ordered by the Finnish Licensing and Supervision Authority to halt work at two datacentre sites in Muhos and Otanmäki after the company illegally cleared approximately 400,000 trees without completing mandatory environmental impact assessments. The clearcutting, which stripped topsoil and disrupted local ecosystems, has sparked public outcry and a national debate regarding the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure in Finland. Google’s Finland country manager, Antti Järvinen, has apologized for the incident, claiming the company acted on its understanding of the legislation at the time.
The projects are part of a €13 billion AI infrastructure investment encouraged by the Finnish government, which views the datacentres as a priority for economic growth. However, the unauthorized felling of trees has led to widespread criticism from environmentalists and local residents, who have raised concerns about the impact on biodiversity, water quality, and the use of national renewable energy resources for international corporate interests.
In response to the controversy, Google has confirmed it has stopped preparatory work and is cooperating with authorities to comply with regulatory requests. While the company has pledged to plant trees at the Muhos site, conservationists argue the effort is insufficient to address the environmental damage. The incident is expected to become a significant issue in the upcoming national elections as the country evaluates the balance between foreign investment and environmental protection.
