Rauma Seeks Long-Term Benefits from Data Centres – Focus on Dialogue and Overall Impacts
News
The City of Rauma reviews data centre projects from a strategic perspective and engages in open dialogue with operators on how projects can support the city’s vitality, security and sustainable development in the long term. Data centres are considered critical infrastructure whose impacts extend well beyond the construction phase.
When properly implemented, data centre projects can strengthen the tax base, create jobs and promote renewable energy, electrical grid development and the utilisation of waste heat. At the same time, they raise questions related to energy consumption, environmental and nature impacts, and water use. To gain a comprehensive understanding of these overall impacts, Rauma discusses project structures, timelines, as well as ownership and financing arrangements with operators at an early stage.
For the city, it is important to form a shared understanding of the impacts of projects over their entire lifecycle and how land use will remain appropriate in the long term. In this way, Rauma acts as a long-term developer of the area and a committed partner.
Successful Investments Through Mutual Understanding
– In Rauma, economic impacts are assessed more broadly than just the size of the investment. In discussions, we emphasise a realistic view of the effects on the local economy, such as employment, subcontracting and tax revenues also during the operational phase of the project, says Esko Poikela, Mayor of Rauma.
Rauma considers it important that data centre projects aim to use renewable or fossil-free energy and achieve high energy efficiency. The utilisation of waste heat is examined as part of the regional energy system when it is technically and economically feasible.
In discussions with operators, the City of Rauma has emphasised the importance of the companies’ own commitments to strengthening local benefits, for example through education, research and innovation activities.
– Rauma is not just a location to arrive at; we seek open and constructive dialogue with operators. Successful investments are based on mutual understanding and trust, and they benefit both the city and the operators in the long term, Poikela summarises.
Rauma City Council Approved the Detailed Plan for Southern Lakari
On 27 April 2026, the City Council approved the detailed local plan and plan amendment for the southern Lakari area, which enables the development of a large-scale data centre park in the expanding Lakari area.
The Lakari area has been identified as particularly well suited for data centre operations due to the Fingrid substation located in the area and the strong electricity grid. The area is owned by the city, and its development for industrial use has been prepared over a long period of time.
During the planning process, extensive studies were carried out on, among other things, nature values, traffic, noise, stormwater and the cultural environment. The planning solution takes into account flying squirrel habitats, birdlife, ancient monuments, as well as nearby residential areas and recreational use.
