The money will be used to develop data centres as well as supporting infrastructure, and represents the search engine giant's largest single investment in Europe to date.File photo of Google's headquarters in Mountain View, California. Image: Godofredo A. Vasquez / EPAYle News10:24Updated 11:33Search engine giant Google has announced plans to invest an additional 13 billion euros in Finland over the next two years.The operations will be focused on the municipalities of Kajaani, Muhos, and Vaala — where Google has previously purchased land from the Finnish state — as well as expanding the existing centre in Hamina.In a statement to Yle, Google's parent company Alphabet said that the money will be invested in data centres and related artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, as well as in the company's overall operations in Finland.In a press release, the firm noted that the deepening of its "long-term commitment" to Finland also marks its biggest investment in Europe to date."This is Google’s largest single investment in Europe and a testament to Finland’s leadership in responsibly building AI infrastructure — demonstrating what is possible through strong partnerships to create long-term community value and world-class environmental sustainability," the statement said.Finnish Country Manager Antti Järvinen also noted that the outlay is one of the largest investments in Finland's industrial history.The investment will also support clean energy projects, the statement added, as well as providing community funds to "support local biodiversity, education, research, and workforce development".Google has been steadily expanding its operations in Finland since converting an old paper mill into a data centre in Hamina, on the southeast coast, in 2009.Investment means thousands of jobs, Google CIO saysGoogle previously announced the expansion of its data centre infrastructure in Finland, involving the same municipalities, in 2024.Those plans were later put on ice as the firm said it was awaiting more details about the government's proposed removal of a tax benefit.Wednesday's announcement confirms that the plans to build data centres in these three locations of Kajaani, Muhos, and Vaala will now go ahead.Google's Chief Investment Officer Ruth Porat said at a press conference on Wednesday morning that the construction phase of the data centres will lead to the creation of over 37,000 jobs. The operational phase will see thousands more jobs opening up, Porat added.Google's Chief Investment Officer Ruth Porat speaking at Wednesday's press conference. Image: Roni Rekomaa / LehtikuvaFinland has become a magnet for data centres in recent years, with companies such as Microsoft and TikTok owner ByteDance ​recently announcing planned investments.Companies are attracted to Finland because of the country's climate — which helps reduce the costs associated with the heat produced ⁠by data centres — as well as ​Finland's large supplies of low-carbon electricity.PM Orpo defends data centresSpeaking at the same press conference on Wednesday morning, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (NCP) noted the announcement of new data centre projects is not always warmly welcomed in Finland."In public debate in Finland, the impact of data centres on employment is often underestimated. I find this peculiar in a country that has struggled with high unemployment for a long time," he said, adding that "this means jobs, many jobs for Finns all over Finland".PM Orpo further noted that the expansion of Google's operations in Finland will "generate significant tax revenues for municipalities and central government".The criticisms of data centres focus on their potential to drain local resources as well as concerns that their rapid expansion exacerbates the climate crisis.Edit note: Article updated at 11:31 on 9.9.2026 to include more background on Google's operations in Finland as well as quotes from the press conference.