Major data center construction to employ up to 700 in Lappeenranta

A new multi-billion-euro data center project in Lappeenranta, southeastern Finland, will create up to 700 jobs during construction and around 100 permanent positions once operational, Yle reports.

Dutch firm Nebius and Finnish data center developer Polarnode announced the project on Tuesday, with construction already underway in the Pajarila district. The facility, spanning 41 hectares, represents one of Europe’s largest data center investments, according to Lappeenranta Mayor Tuomo Sallinen.

Local workforce prioritized

Polarnode’s board chair Mikko Toivanen stated that the project will rely heavily on local labor and services, including contracting, logistics, and support functions. The first phase is expected to complete in 2025, with full operations rolling out in stages over several years.

Sallinen called the investment a “significant boost” for eastern Finland, noting its potential to restore confidence in the region following recent layoffs in the forestry and welfare sectors. He also expressed hope for final approval of Solar Foods’ planned factory in Lappeenranta, which would further accelerate economic growth.

Long-term economic benefits

The data center is projected to generate millions in annual property tax revenue for the city. Sallinen highlighted the role of chance in securing the project, as the Pajarila site—originally earmarked for a Fazer factory—offered an unusually large, centrally located plot.

Nebius is exploring partnerships with local universities, including LUT University and LAB University of Applied Sciences, to develop AI expertise and innovation. LUT Rector Juha-Matti Saksa described the center as a “real-world industrial-scale testing platform” for research and student projects.