Joining us is Matilda Bailey, a networking specialist renowned for her deep insights into the evolving landscape of digital infrastructure. With DayOne’s recent, multi-billion dollar push into Europe, particularly its ambitious plans in Finland, we’re seeing a significant shift in the data center map. Matilda’s expertise in cellular, wireless, and next-gen solutions gives her a unique perspective on the forces driving these massive investments.
Today’s conversation will explore the strategic thinking behind DayOne’s major Finnish projects, from site selection and complex energy partnerships to talent acquisition for these advanced facilities. We’ll also delve into the financial strategy fueling this rapid expansion and examine how the company is positioning itself within Finland’s intensely competitive, high-growth market.
DayOne is developing multiple large-scale projects in Finland, including a 128 MW campus in Lahti and the planned 560 MW site in Nurmijärvi. What makes Finland’s digital infrastructure so robust for these hyperscale investments, and how does your site selection strategy differ between these locations?
Finland presents a near-perfect trifecta for data center development, which is why we’re seeing such aggressive investment. First, you have abundant renewable energy, which is a non-negotiable for sustainable hyperscale operations today. Second, the naturally cool climate dramatically reduces the enormous cost and energy burden of cooling these massive facilities. Finally, the country has a very stable and robust digital infrastructure backbone. Our site selection is nuanced and tailored to opportunity. In Lahti, we identified a former industrial site ripe for transformation, a brownfield project allowing us to build a 128 MW campus relatively quickly. Nurmijärvi, however, is about long-term vision. Securing a site with a potential of 560 MW is a strategic play for future-proofing; it’s a greenfield opportunity to build a massive campus from the ground up, designed for the next decade of demand.
For the Nurmijärvi project, you are partnering with the energy producer Fortum on zoning and grid connections. Can you walk us through the key steps in this collaboration? Please share some details on the challenges and milestones involved in securing grid power for a 560 MW development.
Partnering with a local energy giant like Fortum is absolutely critical for a project of this magnitude. You can’t just show up and ask for 560 MW of power; it requires a deep, symbiotic collaboration. The first milestone was signing the site securing and development agreement, which essentially formalizes our joint commitment. From there, Fortum becomes our guide and advocate, helping us navigate the complex local zoning processes and government approvals. The biggest challenge is the grid connection itself. We are working hand-in-hand with them on the intricate planning to ensure the grid can not only deliver that much power reliably but also absorb the predictable load patterns of a data center. It’s a multi-year process involving substations, transmission lines, and ensuring our development aligns with their long-term energy infrastructure plans.
The Nurmijärvi facility is expected to create up to 700 long-term skilled positions. What specific roles will be most in demand for operating this site, and what is your strategy for recruiting and training local talent to meet these advanced technical requirements?
The 700 long-term roles are the lifeblood of the facility once it’s operational. We’re talking about highly skilled positions that go far beyond basic maintenance. We will need an army of network engineers, data center technicians, facilities managers specializing in power and cooling systems, and cybersecurity experts. Given the scale, roles in automation and robotics for facility management will also be key. Our strategy for talent is two-fold: we will absolutely recruit experienced professionals, but a core part of our commitment is cultivating local talent. This involves establishing partnerships with local technical universities and vocational schools to create curricula that directly feed into our needs, as well as developing our own in-house training and upskilling programs to ensure the local workforce can grow with us and meet the demands of this cutting-edge facility.
With over $3 billion in new financing secured recently, your European expansion is clearly accelerating. How do you allocate this capital between new site development, technology acquisition, and ensuring sustainable operations, especially when leveraging Finland’s renewable energy resources? Please elaborate on the key performance indicators you prioritize.
That capital injection, combining over $3.2 billion from our Series C and the mezzanine facility, is the fuel for this entire European strategy. A significant portion is earmarked for land acquisition and construction—projects like the 560 MW Nurmijärvi campus simply can’t happen without it. Another large slice goes toward technology acquisition; we’re building high-performance infrastructure, which means investing in the latest server, networking, and cooling technologies. Critically, a portion is dedicated to sustainability initiatives that go beyond just sourcing renewable power. Our key performance indicators are clear: we track Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) obsessively, we monitor our carbon footprint, and we measure the percentage of our energy consumption that comes from certified renewable sources. This funding allows us to build efficiently and sustainably from day one, which is far more cost-effective than retrofitting later.
Finland’s data center market is forecast to grow at nearly 54% annually, attracting significant investment from major global operators. Beyond the climate, what specific government incentives or market dynamics give you a competitive edge, and how does this intense competition influence your long-term strategy?
The 54% growth forecast is staggering, and it confirms our strategy. While we’re competing with giants like Google and Microsoft, our edge comes from our agility and our focus on securing land and power at a massive scale for future growth. While government incentives are a supportive factor, the real competitive dynamic is the race for power. Our partnership with Fortum to secure a 560 MW site is a profound strategic advantage. It gives us a long-term development runway that is incredibly difficult for competitors to replicate. This intense competition validates the market, but it also forces us to be bolder. Our strategy isn’t just about building a data center for today’s needs; it’s about securing the resources to become a foundational pillar of Finland’s digital ecosystem for decades to come.
What is your forecast for the European data center market over the next five years?
I believe the European market is entering a new era of “smart expansion.” The land-grab in established markets will continue, but the real story will be the strategic push into emerging, sustainable hubs like the Nordics. We’ll see a definitive flight to sustainability, where access to renewable energy and a favorable climate are no longer just a “nice-to-have” but a core business requirement driving site selection. Furthermore, I predict a greater focus on building massive, future-proofed campuses rather than smaller, incremental sites. Companies are realizing they need to secure power and land for the next decade of growth, not just the next two years. The trend we see with DayOne in Finland—securing huge power envelopes in sustainable locations—is a blueprint for the future of the entire European market.
