Finland has quickly become one of the most attractive locations for data centers. Eltel sees this development not only as a significant growth opportunity but also as recognition of the excellence of Finnish infrastructure.
As demand for data centers increases and investments accelerate, Finland offers exceptionally stable conditions and the technical readiness needed for the data economy. In this article Eltel experts Tuomas Antikainen, Sales Manager, Data Center Solutions, and Jesse Korhonen, Product Manager, Data Center Solutions, wallk us through why Finland is such an appealing location for new data centers.
Why are data center operators interested in Finland?
Three factors drive data center construction: security, energy efficiency, and operational reliability. In all of these areas, Finland stands strong on a global scale.
- Robust transmission grid: Finland’s electricity grid is one of the most stable in Europe.
- Space to build: Data centers can be built in numerous industrially suitable locations across the country, without major land-use constraints.
- Cold climate and energy efficiency: The cool climate reduces the energy required for cooling, helping data centers operate cost-effectively year-round.
- Waste heat utilization: Finland’s extensive district heating network enables efficient recycling of data center waste heat. Upcoming EU regulations will require waste heat recovery by 2028 — giving Finland a clear competitive advantage.
- A safe investment environment: Political stability and transparent governance support long-term investments.
Antikainen summarizes: “We have a strong transmission grid, plenty of space, and the ability to use renewable energy efficiently. Combined with a secure operating environment, Finland is in many ways an ideal place for data centers.”
A reliable electricity grid is the backbone of a data center
Data center operations depend on reliable electricity networks, without constant and secure power supply, services cannot function. In Finland, the reliability of the grid is exceptionally high.
Ring network structures and redundant connections ensure that a single fault does not cause service interruptions. Data centers do not impose special requirements on local networks, as the Finnish transmission system is designed to withstand high loads without disturbances.
“Many foreign operators are surprised to learn that some Finnish substations haven’t had customer-visible faults in decades,” says Antikainen.
Eltel also plays a key role in building power grids and substations – the backbone of critical infrastructure for data centers. In these projects, Eltel’s extensive experience in power transmission and industrial services is a major advantage.
Clear and efficient network connection processes in Finland
Connecting a data center to the national transmission grid or a regional network in Finland is a straightforward and transparent process. Fingrid’s guidelines define clear rules available to everyone.
Thanks to well-defined processes, the connection procedure is typically faster than in many other European countries. The practical implementation — including permitting — can often be completed in parallel with the construction of the data center itself, enabling operations to begin quickly once the facility is ready.
Diverse and fast communications networks
Data centers rely on fast and reliable data transfer. In Finland, these factors are at an exceptionally high level.
- Finland has an extensive and redundant fiber network operated by several independent service providers.
- Connections to Europe are fast, with very low latency — from southern Finland, mainland Europe is about 20 milliseconds away.
- Operator networks often run close to potential data center sites, making integration technically easy.
- Pricing for connectivity is transparent, and there are many options.
According to Eltel’s Jesse Korhonen, many customers are surprised by how easy it is to build new connections: “Not everyone knows that data center operators in Finland can also build their own fiber links between sites. Eltel can help with this too.”
Eltel builds both network connections and internal data center networks
Eltel is well known in Finland for its strong expertise in constructing electrical and telecommunications networks. For data center operators, Eltel can provide high-quality grid and network connections as well as design and installation work for the data centers’ internal networks.
“We have traditionally joined data center projects through the external network connections, but we can also support data centers with their own electrical and data networks — all the way from the substation onward,” Korhonen explains.
Eltel already partners with several major operators, and we aim to strengthen our position as a comprehensive infrastructure partner for data centers. As the market grows and technical requirements tighten, there is increasing need for partners with both broad technical insight and experience in building critical networks.
Reliability is built on experience
Eltel has been involved in building Finland’s transmission grid and telecommunications networks for 25 years. We know the electricity system and local conditions inside out. This allows us to offer data center operators a partnership that combines technical expertise, project management, and proven operational reliability.
“We already have one of the best networks in Europe. Eltel helps ensure it stays that way in the future,” Antikainen concludes.
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