Police in Finland have opened a preliminary investigation into Google’s data centre construction site in Muhos over suspected environmental damage, following a request from the Finnish Supervisory Agency to examine activities at the site.
The Oulu Police Department confirmed that it had received five requests for an investigation concerning the construction project. All five will be examined as part of the preliminary probe, which is focusing on suspected environmental damage.
Police said information available so far points to irregularities and shortcomings in drainage and water management at the site, which is operated by Google’s Finnish subsidiary, Tuike Finland. Investigators will also assess whether other potential offences emerge as the investigation progresses.
The police expect the investigation to take considerable time, with completion targeted for 2027. The department said it intends to provide a further update on the case in December.
The investigation adds to regulatory scrutiny of Google’s data centre developments in Finland, which form part of the company’s planned investment of 13 billion euros in the country.
The Finnish Supervisory Agency recently ordered Tuike Finland to suspend construction work on two data centre projects, one in Muhos and another in Kajaani-Otanmaki, because the required environmental impact assessments had not been completed.
The company confirmed on 14 October that it had complied with the order and suspended preparatory work at both locations.
Water management was among the concerns raised by the authority. It found that the plans submitted by Tuike Finland did not adequately demonstrate how water-related environmental impacts would be controlled.
The agency instructed the company to submit a more detailed water management plan by 5 November. The plan must set out proposed structures, implementation schedules and arrangements for independent water monitoring.
It must also account for environmental risks associated with heavy rainfall, snowmelt and acidic black shale soils in the area. These conditions can complicate the management of water at construction sites and require appropriate safeguards to limit potential environmental harm.
The authority warned that it could take formal enforcement action, including imposing a conditional fine, if the company fails to take adequate measures.
The police investigation and the agency’s construction suspension order concern related aspects of the Muhos project, but they serve different purposes. The authority’s action addresses outstanding environmental assessment and water management requirements, while the police investigation examines whether criminal conduct has occurred.
The investigation remains at a preliminary stage. The suspected environmental damage has not been established as a criminal offence, and the findings will depend on the evidence gathered by investigators.
