Nurmijärvi's record €24 million property deal for a planned data center has generated significant questions from local residents, prompting detailed clarifications from municipal leaders and the local energy company. The Klaukkala project, set to be one of the municipality's largest employers, is now moving to a crucial zoning decision in the council this spring.
Municipal councillors approved a preliminary property sale agreement with developer-operator DayOne on January 28. The transaction, valued at approximately 24 million euros, represents the largest property sale in Nurmijärvi's history. The next step in the process is the area's detailed zoning plan, which the council is scheduled to decide on in March.
The scale of the investment has led to a wave of inquiries from citizens. Nurmijärvi's Technical Director Juha Oksanen, Zoning Chief Crista Toivola, and Nurmijärvi Sähkö Oy's Network Manager Osmo Karvonen have provided collective answers to the most pressing concerns.
Why a Data Center for Nurmijärvi?
The data center planned for Klaukkala is projected to bring the municipality substantial long-term benefits, including around 700 jobs, increased vitality, and support for business growth. This figure includes people directly employed by the data center operator as well as jobs created through subcontracting chains. While the facility itself will become one of Nurmijärvi's most significant employers, the ecosystem building around it is expected to increase demand for other local services, from maintenance to catering.
Municipal officials argue the investment aligns with strategic goals to strengthen the local economic base beyond traditional sectors. The direct property sale income provides a major, one-time fiscal boost, while the long-term tax revenue from a large-scale industrial operator offers sustained financial stability. This is particularly relevant for a growing municipality facing demands on its infrastructure and public services.
The Critical Electricity Question
One of the foremost concerns from residents involves the project's substantial power requirements and potential impacts on local electricity infrastructure and prices. The Klaukkala data center's total electricity consumption could reach a maximum of 560 megawatts. In its initial phase, it will connect to the Nurmijärvi Sähköverkko (Nurmijärvi Electricity Network), with a later connection planned to Fingrid's national high-voltage grid. The customer, the data center operator, will cover all connection and network service fees.
Regarding the effect on electricity prices for Nurmijärvi residents, officials state the price of electricity is determined on the Nordic electricity markets. They frame the locally increased electricity usage as a positive development for the Nurmijärvi Sähköverkko. Growing electricity consumption increases the network company's revenues and could reduce future pressure to raise network service fees, especially for local households and businesses. The municipality owns Nurmijärvi Sähköverkko and would thus benefit directly from the local investment through both revenues and jobs.
Officials acknowledge a nationwide perspective, noting that increased electricity consumption from data centers built across Finland may raise national grid fees and electricity prices, regardless of where in Finland a data center is located. The local benefit, they contend, is that Nurmijärvi captures the direct economic advantages of hosting the facility.
Finland's Capacity for Data Center Growth
The question of whether Finland has enough electricity for new data centers is addressed with reference to the national grid operator. According to Fingrid, Finland does have sufficient electricity for new data centers. Electricity production, particularly renewable energy and nuclear power, is being increased at the same pace as consumption grows. This assessment is based on Finland's strong electricity generation base and the proactive development of its power system.
Finland's position as a net exporter of electricity and its recent additions of significant new nuclear capacity are central to this argument. The country's cool climate also provides a natural advantage for data center cooling, reducing energy needs compared to warmer locations. This has made Finland an attractive destination for international tech companies seeking to locate energy-intensive computing infrastructure.
The Upcoming Zoning Decision
All attention now turns to the Nurmijärvi municipal council's upcoming decision on the area's detailed zoning plan. This legal step is necessary to change the land use to allow for the construction and operation of a large-scale industrial facility like a data center. The debate in the council chamber is expected to reflect the questions raised by the public, focusing on long-term land use, environmental considerations, traffic impacts, and the integration of the large facility into the Klaukkala community.
The council's vote, expected in March, will be the definitive point of municipal approval. A positive decision would allow the detailed planning and construction phases to begin, setting the stage for a multi-year development project that could fundamentally alter the local employment landscape. A rejection would halt the project despite the preliminary property agreement, highlighting the distinct powers of different municipal decision-making bodies.
The Nurmijärvi case exemplifies a broader trend across Finnish municipalities grappling with offers for large data center investments. The balance between immediate economic gain, long-term strategic development, and addressing legitimate citizen concerns about infrastructure and local character remains a complex equation for local councils to solve. The final answer in Nurmijärvi will soon be known.