Google halts 330-hectare Finnish data center expansion at Muhos and Otanmaki after a regulator order, a police inquiry and reports of wolves entering villages.
By Sustainability Awakening • Dr. Ahmad Mahmood
Regulator LVV ordered work stopped at Muhos and Kajaani until impact assessments are done.
Source: Yle, Oct 2026
330 ha
About 460 football pitches: an estimated 250,000 trees felled at Muhos alone.
Source: The Guardian, Oct 2026
Otanmäki residents say wolves came into the village after the forest was felled.
Source: The Guardian, Oct 2026
Police opened a preliminary inquiry into the Muhos clearing after a public complaint.
Source: Iltalehti via Yle
Country manager Antti Järvinen apologized but said Google acted on its reading of the law.
Source: The Guardian
Finland has 145 data centres in planning, drawn by cool climate, land and stability.
Source: The Guardian, Oct 2026
Residents report brown run-off into a stream feeding the Oulujoki. Google plans to replant 130 ha.
Source: The Guardian, Oct 2026
EU rules require data centres of 500 kW or more to report energy and water use every year.
Source: Directive (EU) 2023/1791
Due DiligenceMandatory EIA
Wildlife BufferCorridor rules
Cooling TechClosed-loop PUE
Source: our analysis