Google commits $15 billion to data centers

On 15 September 2026, Google announced a $15 billion investment in Finland, marking its largest capital commitment in Europe to date. Construction is scheduled to start in 2027. The project includes building three new data centers in Kajaani, Muhos, and Vaala, along with expanding an existing site in Hamina that was converted from a paper mill in 2009.

To power the facilities, Google reached an agreement with Nordic energy company Fortum to source electricity from the Loviisa nuclear power plant. The Soviet-origin plant has operated for more than 45 years and supplies 10% of Finland's electricity grid. Under the deal, the plant will supply up to 50% of its generation capacity to Google's project through 2050.

Alphabet expects the infrastructure to support services including its Gemini artificial intelligence chatbot, Google Search, Google Maps, and YouTube. Google estimates the initiative will create about 37,000 jobs and contribute €3.6 billion annually to Finland's gross domestic product. The investment also includes funding for clean energy, biodiversity, education, and research.

Ruth Porat, president and chief investment officer of Alphabet and Google, stated that the commitment pairs technical infrastructure growth with new energy capacity and grid improvements. Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said the move shows national strengths and that the data economy will stimulate research and development. The news follows a $1 billion data center investment in Kouvola confirmed by TikTok earlier in September 2026.