Stora Enso Confirms Wood Deliveries From Google Data Centre Sites
Stora Enso has reversed its earlier denial and confirmed it received approximately 5,000 cubic metres of pulpwood and sawlogs originating from land cleared for Google’s planned data centres in Muhos and Kajaani. The Finnish-Swedish forest giant is the last of Finland’s three largest forest companies to admit taking timber from the clearance sites. The wood reached Stora Enso’s Oulu operations through a supplier whose contract ended in May.
Forest Industry Volumes and Suspensions
UPM Forest received pulpwood at its Kymi and Pietarsaari mills through a supply partner, with forestry director Janne Kiiliäinen noting the delivery equalled about five per cent of daily wood use at UPM’s Finnish pulp mills. Meanwhile, Metsä Group took about 5,000 cubic metres from the Otanmäki site in Kajaani and roughly 50 cubic metres from Muhos, according to forest director Juha Jumppanen. Local forest management associations delivered that material to rail terminals before Metsä Group halted deliveries in mid-September. Both UPM and Metsä Group have suspended further deliveries while investigations continue.
Regulatory Stoppages and Certification Scrutiny
Finland’s Licensing and Supervisory Authority has given Tuike Finland, Google’s project company, until this Friday to stop felling and earthworks at both sites, where more than 500 hectares have already been cleared. Regulators suspect the felling may have breached the law, which could trigger a ban on using the harvested wood. Google maintains it acted in good faith, and operations will remain paused until environmental impact assessments for the projects are complete. Independent certifiers are also examining the supply chains. Tatu Liimatainen, executive director of PEFC Finland, confirmed his organisation is actively investigating the sites. Anna Ylä-Anttila, executive director of FSC Finland, stated that an independent auditor will assess any proven breaches, with potential consequences ranging from corrective actions to the total loss of certification for participating companies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Stora Enso change its position on the timber?
Stora Enso initially denied taking the material but later confirmed on Saturday that about 5,000 cubic metres of pulpwood and sawlogs reached its Oulu operations via an external supplier.
What specific areas were cleared for the Google data centre projects?
More than 500 hectares of land have been cleared across sites located in Muhos and Kajaani, specifically including the Otanmäki site in Kainuu.
What deadline did Finnish regulators give the project company?
Finland’s Licensing and Supervisory Authority gave Tuike Finland until this Friday to halt all felling and earthworks while potential legal violations and environmental impact assessments are reviewed.
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