17:07Machine-translated from Azerbaijani by AIRead in Azerbaijani
More Than 300 Hectares of Forest Cleared: Google’s Data Center Plan Under Investigation
Google’s project to build a new data center near the town of Muhos in Finland is under investigation. The inquiry follows questions about whether the work was carried out in compliance with the law after more than 300 hectares of forest were cleared. Local operator “Tuike Finland” is accused of cutting down the trees without assessing the project’s environmental impact. The area in question is approximately the size of 420 soccer fields. Excavation at the construction site also allegedly began without approval from a government agency.
The construction in Muhos is part of Google’s expansion plans in Finland. The company plans to invest €13 billion (approximately AZN 24.72 billion), or around $15 billion (AZN 25.5 billion), in the country over the next 2 years. Google already has an operating data center in the city of Hamina. Other facilities are planned in the cities of Kajaani and Vaala, as well as Muhos. Muhos has a population of fewer than 9,000 people. Finland is considered a favorable country for data centers because of its cool climate and stable, relatively inexpensive electricity. Most of its electricity is generated by nuclear, wind, and hydroelectric power plants. At a time when economic growth has slowed and unemployment has reached a record high, the country sees data centers as a new source of investment. “Microsoft” and “TikTok” have also selected locations for such facilities in Finland.
However, local residents are concerned about the impact of these projects on the environment, the stability of the electricity supply, and prices. Hanna Halmeenpaa, chair of the board of the Finnish Association for Nature Conservation, has called for work in Muhos to be halted until it is determined whether the laws were followed. According to her, trees were also cut down in some protected natural areas. Halmeenpaa applied to the conservation authority to have the work stopped. Google rejects the allegation that the forest was destroyed prematurely. According to the company, the trees were cut down in compliance with Finland’s Forest Act. Google also said that areas of particular environmental importance were protected during the forestry work. There is currently no information indicating that preparatory and construction work near Muhos has been suspended.
The construction in Muhos is part of Google’s expansion plans in Finland. The company plans to invest €13 billion (approximately AZN 24.72 billion), or around $15 billion (AZN 25.5 billion), in the country over the next 2 years. Google already has an operating data center in the city of Hamina. Other facilities are planned in the cities of Kajaani and Vaala, as well as Muhos. Muhos has a population of fewer than 9,000 people. Finland is considered a favorable country for data centers because of its cool climate and stable, relatively inexpensive electricity. Most of its electricity is generated by nuclear, wind, and hydroelectric power plants. At a time when economic growth has slowed and unemployment has reached a record high, the country sees data centers as a new source of investment. “Microsoft” and “TikTok” have also selected locations for such facilities in Finland. However, local residents are concerned about the impact of these projects on the environment, the stability of the electricity supply, and prices. Hanna Halmeenpaa, chair of the board of the Finnish Association for Nature Conservation, has called for work in Muhos to be halted until it is determined whether the laws were followed. According to her, trees were also cut down in some protected natural areas. Halmeenpaa applied to the conservation authority to have the work stopped. Google rejects the allegation that the forest was destroyed prematurely. According to the company, the trees were cut down in compliance with Finland’s Forest Act. Google also said that areas of particular environmental importance were protected during the forestry work. There is currently no information indicating that preparatory and construction work near Muhos has been suspended.