Centre Party demands data centres supply their own local clean electricity

The Centre Party (Keskusta) released a set of strict requirements for data-center operators, mandating that they supply the same amount of clean electricity locally as they consume. This demand is part of the party's "Hintapiikit historiaan" programme, which seeks to double Finland's electricity production by 2035. Party deputy chairman Markku Siponen accused Prime Minister Petteri Orpon's government of being out of touch with the data-center boom, noting that Google pledged to bring power with its facilities but has not committed any new megawatt capacity.

Siponen argued that existing electricity is already heavily used and additional demand will raise prices for Finnish households. The party wants new generation to be sited near the data centres, especially in eastern Finland where wind potential is high, and proposes cooperation with the Defence Forces to allow wind farms that do not interfere with radar. The goal is to distribute renewable generation evenly across the country and avoid energy bottlenecks.