3 Flash Finland plans 480 MW data centre in Lappeenranta

Development company 3 Flash Finland plans to build a data centre with up to 480 megawatts of IT capacity in the Huuhansuo area of Lappeenranta, Yle reported. The proposed data centre area would cover about 105 hectares.

The company also plans to build solar power capacity, a battery storage facility and a gas-engine power plant alongside the data centre. The on-site energy production is intended to reduce the facility’s electricity draw from the grid when power is in short supply.

The plans were presented to nearby residents and landowners on Monday at the Vilkjärvi village hall. An environmental impact assessment programme for the project is under way and is due to be made available at the end of November. The assessment will also examine a smaller project option.

The plans include up to 200 megawatts-peak of solar power in areas approved for solar development under a partial master plan, and battery storage of up to 320 megawatts and 2,560 megawatt-hours. The gas-engine plant could have a capacity of up to 720 megawatts, or 1.5 times the data centre’s IT capacity. It could start within minutes when wind and solar power are insufficient. Its engines could use natural gas, biomethane or hydrogen.

The data centre would not use water from lakes or rivers for cooling. The project’s final scale will be determined through the environmental assessment and planning process.