Google Invests €13 Billion in Finland Nuclear-Powered AI Data Centres, Explained
In September 2026, Google said it will invest at least €13 billion (about $15 billion) in Finland in 2027 and 2028, its largest single investment in Europe. The plan expands its Hamina data centre, builds three new sites in Kajaani, Muhos and Vaala, and includes a 22-year deal to buy up to half the output of Fortum's Loviisa nuclear plant. Updated October 30, 2026: here is what the deal includes, why AI companies are signing nuclear contracts, and which numbers are Google's own estimates.
⚡ Quick facts
- Investment: at least €13 billion (about $15 billion) over 2027–2028, Google's largest single investment in Europe
- Sites: Hamina expanded, plus three new data centres in Kajaani, Muhos and Vaala
- Nuclear deal: a 22-year power purchase agreement for up to half of Fortum's Loviisa nuclear plant output
- Plant life: Fortum says the deal supports running Loviisa until 2050; the firms will also study new nuclear capacity
- Jobs: Google estimates 37,000+ jobs during construction and about 7,000 once the sites run
What the deal includes
According to Helsinki Times and DatacenterDynamics, Google will spend at least €13 billion over two years on four data centre projects and energy infrastructure. It has run a data centre in a former paper mill at Hamina since 2009 and says it has invested €4.5 billion there. The new sites are in Kajaani, Muhos and Vaala, on land Google bought from the state forest agency in 2024 and 2026. The capacity will serve Gemini, Search, Maps, YouTube and Google Cloud.
The Loviisa nuclear agreement
The centrepiece is a 22-year power purchase agreement with Fortum for up to half of the output of the Loviisa plant. Fortum says the contract supports operating Loviisa until 2050, and the two companies signed a letter of intent to study new nuclear capacity at the site. Google also plans a 94-megawatt battery system near Kajaani from late 2027 and further wind supply, per The Next Web. A €31 million fund for local communities is part of the package.
Why AI is turning to nuclear
AI data centres need large amounts of power around the clock. Wind and solar are cheap but variable; nuclear is steady and low-carbon. Long contracts like this one give a plant owner the certainty to fund life extensions, while the buyer secures clean baseload power. Finland adds a cool climate that cuts cooling costs and a grid with spare capacity. ITPro notes the announcement gives no power demand or compute figures per site, so the actual scale is not yet public.
Our take: reading big data-centre announcements
- Jobs and GDP figures are Google's estimates. The 37,000 construction jobs and €3.6 billion a year GDP boost come from the company, not an independent study.
- "Up to half" is a ceiling. The contract caps Google's share of Loviisa's output; it does not say how much it will draw each year.
- Extending a plant is not new supply. Keeping Loviisa running avoids losing clean power; new reactors are only being studied.
- Watch the missing numbers. Megawatts per site and construction timelines will show how big this really is.
- Local impact matters. Large data centres compete for grid capacity and water; the community fund is a small share of the total.
For a US policy angle on the same question, see our explainer on the Massachusetts AI data-centre clean power order.
Sources
- Helsinki Times: Google invests €13bn in Finland
- DatacenterDynamics: Google pledges €13bn in Finland
- The Next Web: four Finnish data centre sites
- ITPro: Google's €13 billion build-out
Frequently asked questions
How much is Google investing in Finland?
At least €13 billion, about $15 billion, over 2027 and 2028. Google calls it its largest single investment in Europe.
Where will the data centres be?
Google is expanding its existing site in Hamina and building three new data centres in Kajaani, Muhos and Vaala.
What is the Loviisa deal?
A 22-year power purchase agreement with Fortum for up to half of the output of the Loviisa nuclear plant. Fortum says it supports running the plant until 2050.
Is Google building a nuclear reactor?
No. It is buying power from an existing plant. Google and Fortum signed a letter of intent to study new nuclear capacity, but nothing has been committed.
Why Finland?
A cool climate lowers cooling costs, the grid has spare capacity, and it has low-carbon nuclear, hydro and wind power. Google has operated in Hamina since 2009.
How many jobs will it create?
Google estimates more than 37,000 jobs during construction and about 7,000 once the sites are running. These are company estimates.