Construction and project development company Fira Selected as Main Contractor for One of Europe’s Largest AI Data Center Projects

Fira has begun construction of a large-scale data center campus in Lappeenranta, Finland. The project is being developed by Nebius, a company specializing in AI cloud infrastructure. The first phase of the data center is scheduled for completion in 2027.

The data center will be located in the Pajarila industrial area of Lappeenranta, south of Highway 6. The campus will comprise several data center buildings and supporting infrastructure across an area of approximately 41 hectares. Fira is responsible for constructing the first-phase data center. Once the entire campus is completed, its total power capacity will reach approximately 310 megawatts, making it one of Europe’s largest data centers designed specifically for artificial intelligence computing.

– We are privileged to deliver a large-scale data centre project for Nebius. This is the result of both our focused development work and our experience in data centre construction. Our organisation has extensive expertise and the critical skills needed to deliver projects of this kind. We will continue to systematically develop this business area as part of our industrial construction operations, says Esa Mäki, CEO of Fira.

Site preparation and earthworks began in the spring of 2026. Main construction activities commenced in July 2026, and the first data center building is expected to be completed during the first half of 2027.

– We are strongly committed to the project and to meeting its demanding quality and schedule requirements. In addition, environmental considerations and occupational safety will receive particular attention, as they do in all Fira projects, comments Topi Laine, Director of Premises Construction at Fira.

The scale and technical complexity of the project require strong project management capabilities and extensive experience in delivering large industrial construction projects. Special emphasis is placed on ensuring both schedule adherence and quality performance throughout the project.

The project is expected to have a significant employment impact. During the construction phase, it is estimated to employ up to 700 people. Fira is currently recruiting construction professionals for the project.

– We have extensive expertise within the company for delivering demanding projects, and we now have the opportunity to apply that expertise in an exciting international project. At the same time, we need additional talent and are currently recruiting professionals to join us in Lappeenranta, says Mervi Leikas, HR and Communications Director at Fira.

Photo: Nebius