The growing electricity demand of data centres has raised questions about whether Finland will have sufficient electricity supply in the future. Finland currently has more than 7.2 gigawatts (GW) of permitted onshore wind and solar power projects ready for construction. In addition, more than 64 GW of projects are currently in the zoning or permitting process. This means that more than 15 terawatt-hours (TWh)* of electricity generation can be built on a rapid timeline to meet growing demand not only from data centres but also from other industries.
The estimated electricity demand of Finnish data centres by 2030 corresponds to approximately 2.2 GW of wind power generation capacity. In recent years, renewable energy development in Finland has demonstrated its ability to respond rapidly to growing electricity demand, and the capacity currently under development provides an opportunity to continue this trend in the years ahead.
“In 2022 alone, Finland built more new wind power capacity than the current estimate of data centres’ electricity consumption in 2030. We already have more than 7.2 GW of permitted onshore wind and solar projects ready for construction and over 64 GW of projects in the zoning and permitting stages. In addition, several offshore wind projects are under development. Electricity generation will therefore not be a bottleneck for industrial investments in Finland, provided that the permitting and construction of new power generation are not unnecessarily hindered,” says Anni Mikkonen, CEO of Renewables Finland.
The discussion has also highlighted the potential impact of data centres on electricity prices. In this context, it is important to consider the integrated Nordic electricity market as well as the broader economic impacts of investments. If electricity-intensive investments are realised in Finland, the jobs, tax revenues and other economic benefits they generate will also remain in Finland.
“Data centres are likely to be built somewhere in the Nordic region regardless, for example in Sweden. Since Finland and Sweden effectively operate within the same electricity market, the impact on electricity prices will be largely the same regardless of which side of the border the investments are located. The difference lies in which country captures the benefits of those investments. It is also worth remembering that onshore wind power is currently the most cost-effective way to produce clean electricity. It is also a genuine tool for keeping electricity prices affordable in Finland,” Mikkonen notes.
* Finland’s electricity consumption in 2025 was 85 TWh.
Explore wind power projects planned in Finland: https://suomenuusiutuvat.fi/media/surf-tuulivoimahankkeet-suomessa-talvi-2026_3.2.2026.pdf
Explore solar power projects planned in Finland: https://suomenuusiutuvat.fi/media/20260115-aurinkovoimahankkeet-suomessa-talvi-2025.pdf