Pure Data Centres Group (Pure DC), a prominent hyperscale cloud and AI data center platform operating across Europe and the Middle East, has revealed the initiation of what is set to become one of Finland’s most substantial inward investment projects, and notably, the largest ever undertaken by a UK firm.
The initial phase involves an investment exceeding €1.5 billion for a 110MW AI campus. The Seinäjoki location has the potential to expand into a campus valued at over €7.5 billion, supporting more than 550MW for AI workloads, contingent on obtaining required approvals and contracts. This first phase is already completely leased, with the substation for the inaugural data hall already built and operational, and all necessary planning permits and power provisions successfully obtained.
“It’s fantastic to see a British headquartered firm thrive on the world stage by delivering the UK’s largest inward investment into Finland, cementing our position as a world leader in the AI space.
Through our Modern Industrial Strategy, we’re ensuring the UK remains a leader in AI, setting ourselves apart globally while making sure our trillion-dollar tech sector continues to thrive for decades to come.”
The Rt Hon Peter Kyle MPSecretary of State for the UK Department of Business & Trade
Valued at over €7.5 billion, the complete Seinäjoki campus is poised to become one of Europe’s most significant AI infrastructure initiatives, positioning Finland prominently in Europe’s shift towards AI. This facility is expected to be instrumental in fostering regional reskilling efforts, education, entrepreneurial ventures, digital expansion, and energy stability. Developed in partnership with local firm SDC Ventures, the project is projected to generate more than 3,000 jobs throughout its ten-year construction period, stimulating demand for specialized skills and prioritizing the engagement of local businesses. Furthermore, the undertaking will enhance the local electricity and telecommunications networks.
“Our partnership between the Seinäjoki region, and Pure DC has been forged over the past two years, and I’m excited to see this part of our regional development strategy come to life. This project will bring major employment to the Seinäjoki area for years to come, and across many skills and trades. As well as the construction jobs and permanent roles there will be many other benefits for the area – business rates and property tax will be reinvested to benefit local residents, waste heat from the data centre will be repurposed for our district heating network, and our partnership will also see Pure DC investing across a number of education and reskilling initiatives. Our joint belief is that this campus can be a catalyst for the creation of an even larger ecosystem of entrepreneurs, supply chain industries, and employment for residents.”
Jaakko KiiskiläMayor of Seinäjoki Municipality
Known as SJK01, the expansive campus spans 370 acres and is designed to provide over 550MW of IT capacity, catering to large-scale AI and machine learning operations. Leveraging access to more than 700MVA of renewable energy, the facility enjoys remarkably low energy expenses and a very reliable power grid. The development approach incorporates standardized 40MW ‘AI-ready’ modules, featuring Direct Liquid Cooling (DLC) to manage the intense thermal requirements of advanced hardware.
“I am delighted by this major UK investment into Pure DC’s new site in Seinäjoki – the largest yet by a UK company in Finland. It’s an example of the growing role of UK companies in financing and delivering digital infrastructure across Europe, which is a key component of building our shared data sovereignty.
“Not only will this AI data centre campus become one of Finland’s largest inward investment projects, but it will be a critical enabler of scientific excellence, and provide a platform to develop industrial competitiveness, and sovereign capability. Side by side in the top ten of the Global Innovation Index, the UK and Finland already lead the way on AI and AI security, and this kind of world-class compute infrastructure will further support our ability to shape the future of AI for the better.”
Laura DaviesBritish Ambassador to Finland
The construction will include high-density data halls, designed with a modular approach to ensure efficiency, consistent performance, and rapid deployment. These data halls will provide adaptability for evolving client needs, presenting options for both air-cooled and liquid-cooled systems. Both cooling methodologies employ closed-loop mechanisms, ensuring no water consumption during operation.
“Countries building AI infrastructure over the next decade will shape the global economy for the next fifty years. Finland has all the ingredients required to lead this transformation – world class engineering talent, abundant renewable energy and a culture of innovation that gave rise to Nokia.
“We are not building data centres in Seinäjoki. Together with our partners, including the Seinäjoki Municipality, we are helping create one of Europe’s most important AI ecosystems capable of supporting global tech leaders as well as the next generation of Finnish entrepreneurs and innovators.”
Gary WojtaszekExecutive Chairman & Interim CEO of Pure DC
Pure DC has pledged to engage with local communities surrounding its present and forthcoming operational sites. In Seinäjoki, this involves establishing a sustainable talent pipeline through partnerships with Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences and various vocational schools. The initiative seeks to offer specialized skills training that leads directly to employment after qualification, aiding in the retraining of a Finnish region historically known for its forestry and paper production. Additionally, the SJK01 campus will implement waste heat recovery systems to support district heating initiatives.
