Google’s Finnish unit, Tuike Finland Oy, received a formal stop‑work notice from the Licensing and Supervision Agency (LVV). The agency says the two AI data centres in Muhos and Kajaani cannot continue until full environmental impact assessments are completed. The assessments are under review after claims that more than 740 acres of forest were cleared for the sites.
What Google says
A Google spokesperson said the company acted in good faith under Finland’s Forestry Act. The firm ran nature surveys and added measures to protect high‑value areas. It also announced plans to plant trees across 130 hectares at the Muhos site as part of a broader landscaping and biodiversity effort.
Next steps
The LVV has not set a firm timeline for when the assessments will be finished. Until then, construction on both sites must pause. Google says it will continue its long‑term work in the region while it refines its environmental plans.
Why it matters
For Finnish residents, the pause means the new data centres will not be built until the government is satisfied that forest loss is properly evaluated. It also shows how regulators can force large tech firms to meet local environmental rules, which could affect future AI infrastructure projects in the region.
