Google data center could revive historic Finnish power plant village

A planned Google data center near Muhos may bring new life to the historic Leppiniemi village, once a thriving community built around Finland’s largest hydroelectric plant, reports Yle.

The village, designed by renowned architect Aarne Ervi in the 1940s, has seen its population dwindle from up to 2,000 residents in its heyday to around 100 today. Now, local hopes rest on Google’s proposed data center, located just two kilometers away, to revitalize the area and preserve its protected buildings.

Leppiniemi was constructed alongside the Pyhäkoski power plant—the largest on the Oulu River—as part of Finland’s post-war electrification. The village featured schools, shops, a police station, and even a guesthouse that hosted dignitaries like President Urho Kekkonen. Its unique social structure, divided between workers and management, earned it the nickname “Little Vatican.”

After automation reduced the need for staff, the village fell into decline. Many buildings now stand empty, though most remain legally protected as part of a nationally significant cultural environment.

Jari Keinänen, the last remaining resident from Leppiniemi’s golden era, has restored the guesthouse to its former glory. He recalls childhood warnings to stay away from the off-limits building, now his home. “This was forbidden territory,” he said.

If Google’s project moves forward, locals hope it will attract new residents and businesses, ensuring the survival of Ervi’s architectural legacy and the village’s unique history.