A €1.2 billion data centre to be built in Kiveriö, Lahti

Mayor Niko Kyynäräinen welcomes the significant investment. The ten-hectare plot is located between Ilmarisentie and Väinämöisentie in Kiveriö.

– Lahti is part of the growth and development of the international data economy. This investment is massive in Lahti’s scale!

– In addition to a cool climate, clean energy, and stable conditions, Lahti’s investment environment proved to be a winning model. In Finland, we should understand that data storage is a commodity, just like water or electricity, Kyynäräinen emphasises.

Data centres process large amounts of digital information. Their servers run websites, applications, and cloud services. Data centres enable email usage, video streaming, and online file storage.

DayOne will apply for a building permit in the coming weeks. The data centre is expected to begin operations in 2027.

The growth agreement aims to promote an ecosystem

DayOne is a global developer and operator of data centres headquartered in Singapore. It uses energy-efficient technologies and renewable energy sources in its data centres. The goal is to reduce the carbon footprint. The company participates in environmental initiatives and programs that support sustainable development and environmental protection.

– In Lahti, this is realised through a growth agreement focused on partnership, aiming to build an ecosystem in Lahti, Kyynäräinen emphasises.

The data centre in Lahti is designed to handle large amounts of data, enabling the development of a strong digital ecosystem. The ecosystem will be promoted by bringing together potential business partners and new ventures related to waste heat utilisation, construction, the ICT sector, and the circular economy.

– Servers in data centres are frequently replaced, making them significant sources of valuable metals and key players in the circular economy, the mayor notes.

The growth agreement also aims to innovate solutions for utilising the waste heat generated as a byproduct.

€2.5 Million Donation to LUT University in Lahti

The growth agreement is being prepared in cooperation with the City of Lahti, Lahti Region Development LADEC Oy, Lahti Energia, and Salpaus Further Education. The agreement creates a clear framework for long-term regional collaboration.

Additionally, DayOne will donate a total of 2.5 million euros to LUT University. The donation is part of the data centre collaboration between the City of Lahti and DayOne, aiming to strengthen Lahti’s position as a leading environmental city in Europe.

The city intends to integrate local educational institutions and experts into the project and accelerate the development of the future circular economy and ICT expertise in Finland.

The funds will be used to establish a new bachelor’s program in physics at LUT University in Lahti, starting in August 2027. LAB University of Applied Sciences will receive 500,000 euros for research, development, and innovation (RDI) activities. The physics program will further strengthen LUT’s educational offerings in Lahti.