Fortum develops data centre site in Valkeakoski, Finland
Fortum Oyj is developing a 60-hectare site for data centre operations in Pispantalli, Valkeakoski, in cooperation with the city. Local zoning and an environmental impact assessment are underway.
Energy company Fortum Oyj is preparing approximately 60 hectares of land for data centre operations in Pispantalli, Valkeakoski. The project is being undertaken in cooperation with Valkeakoski city, which is currently preparing a local detailed plan for the area. Fortum has initiated an environmental impact assessment (EIA) procedure for the site.
Fortum's objective is to develop the Pispantalli area and market it to potential data centre operators. The actual investment in the site will be made by the data centre developers and operators themselves. The company states that the area offers several features suitable for data centre development, including a large contiguous land area for industrial use, good transport connections, and existing electricity infrastructure.
For Valkeakoski city, a data centre represents a significant economic opportunity. According to Mayor Minna Uschanoff, future property and corporate tax revenues, along with job creation during both construction and operation phases, would support high-quality public services without placing additional pressure on local taxation.
Fortum aims to advance electrification and enable new investments in Finland. By developing industrial sites early, the company seeks to shorten the time-to-market for new industrial investments utilizing low-carbon electricity, thereby strengthening Finland's competitiveness as an investment destination.