Finland orders temporary halt to Google data centre construction over environmental concerns

Finnish authorities have ordered Google to suspend preliminary construction on two planned data centre sites in Muhos and Kajaani pending an environmental impact assessment. The Finnish Supervisory Agency instructed the technology company to cease all preparatory measures that could cause significant environmental harm by October 23.

The halt follows public and regulatory concerns over the clearance of more than 300 hectares of forest. The facilities form part of a recently announced 13 billion euro investment by Google, which the company described as its largest single investment in Europe. Construction activities, overseen locally by subsidiary Tuike Finland, must remain paused while officials evaluate the potential ecological consequences.

Sources: BBC News, Ekonomický deník, Le Monde, ORF, RTBF Info