Finns and Americans push back against data centres

Opposition to data centres is growing in Finland and the United States, Yle reports, as Google’s planned 13.1 billion investment in Finland intensifies debate over electricity, water and environmental impacts.

Google plans to build data centres in Kajaani, Vaala and Muhos. A survey by Maaseudun Tulevaisuus, a Finnish newspaper, found that a majority of Finns want restrictions on data-centre construction.

A citizens’ initiative launched on Tuesday calls for greater oversight of data centres. It also raises concerns about whether electricity and water supplies will be sufficient, whether prices will rise and whether environmental harm will increase.

Sanna-Maarit Nieminiitty of Savonlinna, one of the initiative’s organisers, said decision-makers should slow down. She said investment should serve Finland, its citizens and the environment, and opposed using Finland’s natural resources to generate profits for global companies that do not pay taxes in Finland.

The initiative needs 50,000 signatures before Parliament can consider it.

Opposition has been more widespread abroad. Activists in Amsterdam threw acid at a Microsoft data-centre project, while residents in London marched along Brick Lane in East End to protest a large data centre planned for the area.

In the United States, opposition is spreading rapidly and threatens to affect the political landscape ahead of November’s midterm elections. Majorities of both Republicans and Democrats have turned against data centres, and a March poll found that more than two-thirds of Americans opposed building them in their local areas.

Experts disagree over whether the data-centre boom will benefit or harm Finland. Lassi Linnanen, a professor at LUT University, said on Yle’s Politiikkaradio programme that Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s government was pursuing “banana republic industrial policy”. Linnanen argued that data centres were being built in Finland in a “wild west” manner and that the biggest benefits would go abroad.

Jukka Leskelä, chief executive of the Finnish Energy association, said the risks should not be exaggerated and that data centres could create growth for Finland.

Residents in Vaasa, Muhos and Kajaani believe data centres could bring thousands of jobs and tax revenue. They are also concerned about whether there will be enough electricity. A single data centre can consume nearly a tenth of Finland’s electricity.