Finland Tells Data Center Developer to Stop Clearing Land Until Reviews Are Done
Finland's Licensing and Supervision Agency has told Tuike Finland Oy to stop preparation work that is significantly changing the environment at two planned data center sites, at Muhos and Kajaani, until the environmental impact assessments for the projects are complete. The agency issued the directive Oct. 6, 2026, and called for the work to stop immediately, with Oct. 23, 2026, as the latest deadline. Finland's trade register lists the company under a second registered name, Google Technology Finland.
The agency said the assessment procedure is there to make sure a project's likely significant environmental effects are identified and weighed before a decision to build is taken and before substantial preparation work is done. Its directive rests on section 32(2) of Finland's environmental impact assessment act.
The agency said the halt covers tree felling, stripping of surface soils, digging, blasting, crushing, moving earth, ditching and the building of site roads and storage areas. It does not cover planning, measurements, soil surveys or other steps the agency called minor and easy to reverse.
Tuike Finland Oy has until Oct. 14, 2026, to answer in writing, and the agency has asked it to say whether it intends to follow the directive. The agency said it is looking first for the company to correct the situation voluntarily. If the directive is not followed, the agency said it will consider enforcement proceedings that can compel a company to comply, under the assessment act or under other applicable legislation. Such a procedure can be backed by a conditional fine. No enforcement procedure has been opened and no fine has been imposed.
Tommi Muilu, head of the agency's environment department, said the reports available show large-scale preparation has already taken place at the project areas. He listed tree removal, topsoil stripping, site roads and storage areas, and stormwater works. The agency requested those reports Sept. 18, 2026, from the company, the municipality of Muhos, the city of Kajaani and their building-control authorities.
The assessment procedures for both projects are still underway. The agency said the assessment report had been expected during 2026.
