Nebius Group is moving ahead with a major AI infrastructure project in Finland, where it is building a 310-megawatt data center in Lappeenranta, close to the Russian border. The project is valued at over $10 billion and is described as one that would become one of the largest AI data centers in Europe.
A large AI site planned for Lappeenranta
The Finland project centers on a data center built for the demands of artificial intelligence. Nebius plans to use the facility to train AI models and run AI applications, two workloads that require substantial computing infrastructure and reliable access to power.
Finnish developer Polarnode is already constructing the facility. The rollout is not expected to happen all at once: a phased launch is planned starting in 2027.
The scale is the main point. At 310 megawatts, the Lappeenranta facility is not a small regional site. With a value of over $10 billion, it represents a large commitment to AI infrastructure in Europe and would become one of the largest AI data centers on the continent.
Why Finland fits the project
Nebius selected Finland for practical operating reasons. The company cited low energy prices, renewable power, and a cool climate as factors behind the decision.
Those details matter because AI data centers consume large amounts of power and must manage heat from computing equipment. A cool climate can help cut cooling costs, while renewable power and lower energy prices support the economics of running a large facility.
The location in Lappeenranta also places the site close to the Russian border. The source does not tie that proximity to a specific business or political strategy, but it is part of the project’s geography and helps define where this major AI data center will sit within Europe.
Not built for one customer
Nebius recently signed contracts totaling more than $40 billion with Microsoft and Meta. Even with those large agreements, the new Finland data center is not tied to a single customer.
That customer-neutral detail is important. The facility is being positioned as infrastructure for training AI models and running AI applications, rather than as a dedicated site for only one buyer.
The project therefore sits inside a broader expansion of AI computing capacity. Nebius is building a large European site while also holding major contracts with Microsoft and Meta, creating a clearer picture of how much demand the company is preparing to serve.
How it fits Nebius’ capacity plans
According to CEO Arkady Volozh, the Finnish facility would be the company’s largest site outside the US. He also said it is expected to cover roughly 10 percent of Nebius' total planned capacity.
That estimate gives the project a useful sense of proportion. A single site representing roughly 10 percent of planned capacity suggests that Lappeenranta is not just another location in the company’s network. It is a major piece of the buildout.
For Europe, the project points to continued investment in the physical systems needed to support AI. Model training and AI application workloads do not happen only in software. They depend on data centers, power access, cooling, construction partners, and long-term operating economics.
The bigger takeaway
The Nebius project shows how AI infrastructure decisions are being shaped by a combination of scale, location, and energy conditions. The company is choosing Finland because the site offers low energy prices, renewable power, and a cool climate that can reduce cooling costs.
At the same time, the project’s size makes it stand out. A 310-megawatt facility valued at over $10 billion, already under construction by Polarnode and planned for a phased launch starting in 2027, would be one of the largest AI data centers in Europe.
For Nebius, the Lappeenranta facility is both a European expansion and a significant share of its planned capacity. For the AI market, it is another sign that the race to support model training and AI applications is increasingly about where the underlying infrastructure can be built and operated efficiently.