Finnish authorities order Google to halt construction on two AI data centers, citing inadequate environmental assessment after site changes.

Google subsidiary Tuike Finland Oy has been ordered to halt construction on two data centers following a notice from the Finnish Licensing and Supervision Agency (LVV). The sites in Muhos and Kajaani cannot proceed until environmental impact assessments are completed. The projects stand accused of clearing over 740 acres of Finnish forest.

"We understand the concerns and have fallen short of our own high standards in this instance," a Google spokesperson said. "We acted in good faith under the Forestry Act and ran nature surveys and put in place measures to protect high-value areas. As we continue our long-term work in the region, we are advancing our landscaping and biodiversity plans, which include tree planting across 130 hectares at Muhos."

Finland has become a prime data center location—sometimes called the "Texas of Europe"—due to its abundant land and electricity supply. While the U.S. and China dominate AI data center infrastructure, Europe is investing $30 billion to build capacity, targeting 100,000 AI GPUs per site. SoftBank is separately committing $87 billion to France, leveraging its nuclear-powered electricity grid.

Other European nations face their own constraints. Denmark paused new data center connection requests after demand reached 60GW, more than eight times the country's 7GW peak consumption. Amazon's continental projects face delays up to seven years as they await new power connections.

The Finnish stop-work order centers on forest clearing without government approval. The LVV has prohibited tree removal, topsoil excavation, quarrying, crushing, soil transfers, ditching, and road and storage construction. "In our opinion, the measures in question will change the environment and cause impacts, the identification and assessment of which are among the key objectives of the EIA procedure," said Tommi Muilu, LVV's environmental department head. The subsidiary may continue planning, measurement, soil surveys, and other minimally invasive activities.

U.S. data centers have faced growing resistance, with 45 projects worth $68 billion blocked in the second quarter of 2026. Europe has seen less high-profile opposition, likely because stricter permitting and review processes typically surface concerns before construction begins.