3Flash plans 480MW data centre in Finland

Author: Joe Peck

3Flash Finland, a Finnish developer of industrial-scale solar, green hydrogen, and energy storage projects, is planning a 480MW data centre at Huuhansuo in Lappeenranta, Finland, alongside on-site solar power generation, battery storage, and a gas engine power plant.

The project is designed to include up to 200MWp of solar generation, a battery energy storage facility with capacity of up to 320MW/2,560MWh, and a gas engine power plant with capacity of up to 720MW. The on-site generation is intended to reduce the data centre’s reliance on the electricity grid during periods of limited supply.

The plans were presented to local residents and landowners at Vilkjärvi village hall on Monday, 9 November 2026. The project’s environmental impact assessment (EIA) programme is expected to be made available for public review at the end of November.

On-site generation and energy storage

The gas engine power plant would be capable of starting within minutes when wind and solar generation are insufficient. The engines could operate using natural gas, biomethane, or hydrogen.

The data centre would occupy a site of up to approximately 105 hectares, with no lake or river water used for cooling. The final project scope will be determined through the EIA and land-use planning processes, which will also assess a smaller development option.

Miko Huomo, Chairman of the Board at 3Flash Finland, says, “Dozens of data centres are being planned in Finland, and many rightly ask whether there is enough electricity for everyone and who pays for the peak hours.

“At Huuhansuo, the answer is built into the project: the data centre brings its own balancing power. When electricity is in short supply, it does not take it from the grid at the expense of others. Here, the combination of a data centre and energy production is more than the sum of its parts.”

Huuhansuo comprises former peat production land and commercial forest, and it is already zoned for energy production. Fingrid’s Yllikkälä substation is located a few kilometres away, whilst a Gasgrid gas transmission pipeline runs alongside the site.

Noise, water, nature, and landscape impacts will be assessed through the EIA process, with the findings made publicly available. 3Flash Finland states that it intends to keep noise levels at the nearest homes below permitted guideline values and will manage stormwater appropriately.

Questions and answers from the public meeting are due to be published on the company’s website within a week.

Permits targeted for 2028

The Finnish Supervisory Agency will announce the EIA programme’s public consultation period and a further public event. A master plan amendment and detailed local plan will also be prepared in cooperation with the City of Lappeenranta.

The project aims to secure permits in 2028, with construction of the first phase potentially beginning in 2029 at the earliest.

3Flash Finland is developing the project towards permit readiness and is seeking a data centre operator and investor. Arctic Securities is acting as financial adviser, with further project partners to be announced once agreements have been finalised.