Google has unveiled a significant €1 billion investment to expand its data center campus in Hamina, Finland. This expansion underscores Google’s commitment to fostering job creation, innovation, and economic growth in the region.
Since 2009, Google has invested €3.5 billion in its Hamina data center and associated infrastructure. The new investment includes a strategic partnership with Haminan Energia, the local district heating provider, to capture and repurpose heat from the data center for district heating.
The expansion is expected to generate significant employment opportunities. According to a new impact study by Deloitte, the project will support approximately 1,900 direct, 1,650 indirect, and 640 induced construction jobs annually over the next two years. Currently, the campus employs around 400 individuals in various roles, including computer technicians, engineers, security personnel, catering staff, and facilities management. The expansion will add an additional 100 full-time positions.
With the new investment, Google’s total investment will exceed €4.5 billion.
A significant environmental aspect
In addition to the data center expansion, Google has announced a new partnership with the municipality of Hamina and Haminan Energia to implement a heat recovery project. This initiative aims to recover heat generated by the data center and use it for the local district heating network. The recovered heat is expected to meet approximately 80% of Hamina’s district heating needs, providing warmth for households, schools, and public service buildings in a region currently reliant on fossil fuels.
The project, anticipated to be operational by late 2025, will contribute to Hamina’s energy balance as a low-carbon emission system. Google will provide the recovered heat at no cost to Haminan Energia, which will then connect it to the district heating network in Hamina.