Microsoft has acquired 190 hectares (469.5 acres) of land in Finland for a possible data center project.

The cloud giant has signed a preliminary agreement to purchase the land crossing the Vaasa and Mutasaari municipal border, on the west coast of Finland.

Approximately two-thirds of the land is in Vaasa, and one-third in Mutasaari.

The property is part of the GigaVaasa industrial zone and was selected for a potential data center project due to the existing industrial setting and infrastructure already in place.

“We are pleased to take this step forward together with Vaasa and Mustasaari. Finland is an important country for us, and we are committed to investing here for the long term,” said Teemu Vidgrén, general manager, Microsoft Finland. “This land acquisition builds on long-term collaboration with local municipalities and authorities. From here, our focus is on working with partners to explore what could be developed on the site, and we will share more as our plans take shape in dialogue with local communities.”

“We are very pleased to welcome a trusted, international operator to the GigaVaasa area. If realized, the project will bring additional data and energy expertise, further strengthening our position as a global hub for energy technology,” added Tomas Häyry, Mayor of Vaasa.

Vaasa is the regional capital of Ostrobothnia, located near the Gulf of Bothnia. The vast majority of Finland’s data centers are located in and around Helsinki, on the southern coast, and some 420km (260 miles) away from Vaasa.

Microsoft is currently developing its first cloud region in Finland. The company announced plans for the data center region in 2022, and is working with Fortum to offer waste heat to local residents in Kolabacken, Kirkkonummi, and Hepokorpi, Espoo, from two Microsoft data centers currently under development. The company is also constructing in Vihti.

According to Microsoft’s project update pages, work on the Espoo site is “progressing as planned,” with the second building set to begin shortly. Currently, however, excavation work is on hold due to the bird-nesting season, with it planned to recommence after June 30 when the season is over.

Work on the Vihti site is also underway, and earthworks at the Kirkkonummi site were completed in April 2026, while the “facade work and interior construction of the first data center building are currently underway at the site. In addition, the foundation work for the second data center building is progressing.”

DCD takes a closer look at Finland’s growing data center market in issue #60 of DCD>Magazine. Register here now to read it for free.