Behind Winda Energy’s 100MW Data Centre Plans in Finland
Winda Energy is moving into data centre infrastructure with plans for a 100MW facility in Janakkala, Finland, marking a shift from renewable generation to digital infrastructure consumption.
The Helsinki-based company, known for developing wind and solar assets, is partnering with Czech investment firm Gi21 Capital to deliver the project in the Rastikangas industrial zone in Janakkala – a municipality in the Kanta-Häme region of southern Finland. The move reflects how energy developers are stepping closer to end-use infrastructure as demand for data centre capacity grows.
“Finland and Winda Energy have already invested heavily in green electricity production, and it is great to see how this opens up new business opportunities on the consumption side,” says Tuomas Hooli, CEO of Winda Energy.
Project scale and development timeline
The Janakkala facility is expected to exceed €500m (US$584m) in investment, positioning it among the larger data centre developments in Finland in recent years. The site spans 22 hectares, with the potential to reach around 112,110 square metres as the campus scales.
Construction is scheduled to begin in 2027, with completion targeted for 2028. The development is designed to support high-capacity workloads, aligning with rising demand for cloud computing and AI infrastructure.
Gi21 Capital brings experience across the full data centre lifecycle – from planning and construction through to operations. The firm is also active in cloud platforms and hosting services, as well as early-stage AI investments, which may influence how the site is positioned in the market.
Finland’s data centre advantages
Finland continues to attract data centre investment due to a combination of energy and environmental factors. The country’s expansion in wind power has contributed to relatively low wholesale electricity prices, which is a key consideration for operators managing energy-intensive facilities.
Cooling is another advantage. Data centres generate heat from servers and processing equipment, and Finland’s cold climate allows operators to use outside air to reduce temperatures. This method, often referred to as free cooling, lowers reliance on mechanical cooling systems and improves energy efficiency.
Winda’s existing portfolio supports this positioning. The company has more than a dozen wind projects either operational or in development, with a pipeline exceeding 1GW, alongside solar capacity surpassing 800MW. This provides a foundation for integrating renewable energy supply directly with data centre demand.
The company’s connections to the hyperscale market are also established. Winda has previously signed a power purchase agreement with Amazon, indicating experience in supplying large-scale digital infrastructure.
Finland’s reputation as a stable, high-tech economy further strengthens its appeal. Several global technology firms, including Microsoft and TikTok, have already commissioned data centres in the country, reinforcing its position as a Northern European hub.
Local impact and regulatory considerations
For the municipality of Janakkala, the project brings both economic activity and infrastructure development. Construction is expected to employ hundreds of workers, while ongoing operations may support between 30 and 40 permanent roles focused on data centre management and maintenance.
Harri Vierikka, Technical Director of Janakkala, highlights the local benefits: “The project is extremely significant for the municipality and positive in its overall impacts.
"It strengthens the municipality's vitality, supports the area's development and demonstrates that the municipality is seen as a credible location and investment environment even at times when new investments are not easily realised.”
The municipality also expects increased tax revenues and income from land sales, alongside wider benefits for local services and businesses.
However, Finland’s data centre landscape is not without uncertainty. A proposed policy change could move electricity used by data centres into a higher tax category from July 2026, increasing operating costs by around 2.19 cents per kilowatt hour.
At the same time, policymakers are considering new incentive mechanisms, with details still under development. Debate has also emerged around the scale and oversight of data centre expansion, particularly following high-profile projects in the country.
Despite these factors, Winda’s entry into the sector signals continued confidence in Finland as a data centre location. The Janakkala project illustrates how access to renewable energy, favourable climate conditions and established infrastructure are shaping where new capacity is built.