Earthmoving work at the site of TikTok’s data centre in Koria, Kouvola, on 16 April 2025. Photo: Sasu Järnstedt / Str / Lehtikuva
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Officials in Espoo say they were not informed of a proposed data centre by developer Hyperco, despite the company having signed a preliminary agreement for a plot of land in the Koskelonniitty area.
The 5.4-hectare site lies near Ring Road III and is currently zoned for future workplace development. However, the City of Espoo says it has not made any decisions about what type of activities the area will ultimately host.
According to city environment director Olli Isotalo, the existing zoning plan, in preparation since 2021, only applies to a smaller area than what was reported in the press. “There is no fixed line from the city yet, so we cannot say that Espoo is seeking a data centre,” Isotalo said.
Espoo’s zoning proposal includes three potential uses, only one of which would allow for data centre operations. The city is still assessing whether the site would be better suited for logistics or commercial functions.
“This came as a surprise,” Isotalo said, noting that the city has not held discussions with the current or potential landowners, and does not know which company the proposed data centre is meant to serve.
The land in question is owned by the Swedish-speaking real estate investment company Svenska småbruk och egna hem. The firm confirmed it signed a preliminary agreement with Hyperco in 2022 but said no final deal has been made. CEO Anders Strandberg declined to disclose the purchase price.
Hyperco has been involved in other controversial projects, including a proposed data centre in Kouvola with reported links to TikTok. Finland’s Ministry of Defence confirmed it has approved the land transaction involving the Koskelonniitty site, but the project itself is not yet authorised.
The City of Espoo has not planned to expand the current Koskelonniitty zoning area, and there is no set timeline for progressing with zoning work. Isotalo noted that there are several competing data centre initiatives already under consideration in the region.
“Plots for business use must accommodate more than just data centres,” he said.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
