Finnish police launched the criminal investigation following an October 6 order from the Supervisory Agency halting preparatory activities at Muhos and an additional site. Investigators flagged ambiguities and shortcomings in local drainage and water management, though Google maintains it proceeded based on its understanding of legal requirements. The contested location forms a key component of Google's $15 billion artificial intelligence infrastructure program, the tech giant's largest investment in Europe. Meanwhile, grid operator Fingrid has cautioned that such AI facilities could expand Finland's total power consumption by up to 40 percent.
Key points
Google faces corporate fines if investigators find Tuike Finland violated domestic enviro…: Google faces corporate fines if investigators find Tuike Finland violated domestic environmental laws and the water act.
National grid operator Fingrid estimates that planned AI data centres could elevate Finla…: National grid operator Fingrid estimates that planned AI data centres could elevate Finland's electricity usage by 40 percent.
Regulators have given no timeline on when permits to resume site preparations might be gr…: Regulators have given no timeline on when permits to resume site preparations might be granted to Google.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
HELSINKI, Oct 29 : Finnish police said on Thursday they have launched a criminal investigation into suspected breaches of environmental law at the construction site of a planned Google data centre in northern Finland.
The project is part of a plan announced last month by Alphabet's Google to invest $15 billion in artificial intelligence infrastructure in Finland, which the US company described as its largest investment in Europe.
Authorities have said Tuike Finland, a subsidiary of Alphabet's Google, conducted forest clearing and drainage at a planned site near the town of Muhos before the environmental impact assessments required under Finnish law had been completed.
POLICE PROBE DRAINAGE AND WATER MANAGEMENT
"We are investigating whether the company's operations have breached the water act and resulted in environmental damage," Detective Superintendent Kari Pakanen told Reuters, adding that a guilty finding could lead to a corporate fine.
Pakanen declined to say whether any individuals could become a target of the investigation.
Preliminary information showed ambiguities and shortcomings in the drainage and water management at Tuike's site, police said in a statement, adding that…
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