Sesterce plans a €10 billion-plus AI data center campus developed at a decommissioned paper mill in Finland, leveraging hydropower and existing infrastructure.
French AI infrastructure company Sesterce announced on October 8, 2026, plans for an AI computing campus at the former Kaipola paper mill in Jämsä, Finland, with an investment exceeding €10 billion. The first phase, with construction starting in 2026, will deliver 200 MW of capacity, expanding to 600 MW in a second phase. Sesterce has identified an anchor customer for the project, though it has not disclosed the company's identity. Longer term, the company aims to build more than one gigawatt of AI capacity across Finland on existing industrial sites.
Sesterce selected the Kaipola site for its existing infrastructure: a high-voltage grid connection, established water systems, operational buildings, and logistics connections. "For more than six decades, the Kaipola mill produced paper for the world. Now, a new generation of industry is being planned for the site," said Youssef El Manssouri, CEO of Sesterce. Jorma Myllymäki, CEO of grid operator Elenia, confirmed that the Kaipola site is connected to Elenia's high-voltage network, which can currently support the first phase's power requirements.
Sesterce has committed to significant sustainability pledges. For every megawatt the campus consumes, the company will enable one megawatt of newly built renewable generation capacity in the Finnish grid within ten years of becoming operational. Cooling will use a closed-loop liquid system supplemented by harvested rainwater and recycled water, with no drinking water required. The company plans to establish a €10 million community fund upon commissioning, with all commitments to be audited annually by an independent third party and reported publicly.
The project is expected to employ approximately 2,000 workers during construction and around 300 once fully operational. Sesterce says it will prioritize Finnish contractors. Jämsä's mayor, Jori Reijula, characterized the project as an interesting opportunity, contingent on it progressing from plans to implementation and meeting all applicable regulatory requirements.
What remains unconfirmed: the identity of the anchor customer, the timeline for the second phase, and details on the financing of the €10 billion investment. Sesterce's announcement describes planned capacity and commitments; the company has not provided implementation timelines beyond indicating construction will begin in 2026.