Power-hungry data centers are warming homes in the Nordics
The growing movement to turn data centers—known for their massive electricity consumption—into sources of residential heating in the Nordics was covered in an article by Bloomberg on May 14. The article focuses on how Finland is leveraging waste heat generated by these power-hungry facilities to reduce emissions and energy costs through integration with district heating systems.
One key example is in Mäntsälä, where a 75-megawatt data center provides heat for around 2,500 homes. This approach, pioneered by Finnish engineer Ari Kurvi, has evolved over the years from small-scale projects to major infrastructure partnerships. Kurvi’s early work in Kuopio laid the foundation for large-scale applications like the Nebius Group’s facility, which now heats his own home.
The most ambitious project yet involves Microsoft, which is building a massive data center campus near Helsinki, in Espoo and Kirkkonummi. Once operational, this cluster is expected to supply 40% of Espoo’s heating needs—around 100,000 homes.
“If we take it as a given that data centers need to exist, that we need them for our Zoom calls, then we need to find the best locations for them,” said Veera Lyytikainen, senior officer at the local authority that assessed the Microsoft facility’s environmental impacts. “The best place is one where waste heat can be utilized and the data center can be run on renewable energy.”
A newly constructed heat recovery plant by Fortum Oyj is ready to capture and distribute the heat. Water warmed to 25–35°C in the data centers will be processed through heat pumps and electric boilers to reach 115°C, then fed into the city’s district heating grid. This initiative has already led to the closure of a coal-fired plant and is expected to significantly reduce the city’s carbon emissions by 2030.
The Nordic region’s natural advantages—cold climate, abundant renewable energy, and widespread district heating infrastructure—make it ideal for such innovations. Electricity prices are also low, which adds to the region’s appeal for tech companies. However, there are criticisms. Data centers still consume enormous amounts of power, prompting questions about whether their benefits justify their resource demands. In countries like Ireland, data centers account for nearly 20% of national electricity use, sparking local opposition. In Finland, the government is reconsidering tax benefits for the industry, which could slow future development.
Although not all proposed data centers incorporate heat recovery—such as one of Microsoft’s three Finnish sites in Vihti—the momentum is growing. Across Europe, companies like Conapto in Sweden are also recovering heat for district networks, and regulatory pressure is increasing. Germany has introduced efficiency laws requiring large data centers to reuse a portion of their waste heat. The EU is pushing for reduced energy consumption across sectors and greater transparency from data center operators.
Original story was published by Bloomberg on 14.05.2025 and can be found here.
Could Australia learn about preparedness from Finland, the prepper nation of the Nordics?
Finland’s longstanding culture of preparedness was covered in an article by ABC news on May 14. The article examines whether Australia could adopt similar strategies to bolster its own resilience.
Finland, known both for its high happiness rankings and its readiness for crises, earned the moniker “prepper nation of the Nordics” for good reason. Since the Cold War, the country has steadily maintained large stockpiles of essential goods like food, fuel, and medical supplies. This long-term planning proved valuable during the COVID-19 pandemic, when Finland avoided the shortages that plagued many other countries.
A key driver of Finland’s approach is its geography and history. Sharing a long border with Russia and having experienced direct conflict during the Winter War of 1939-1940, Finland developed a security mindset rooted in self-reliance. The country managed to fight the Soviet Union to a near standstill, which fostered national unity and a belief in the importance of being prepared. During the Cold War, Finland adopted a policy of “total defence” that included all sectors of society, not just the military. This evolved into the current “comprehensive security” doctrine, which emphasizes a whole-of-society effort to protect against not just military threats, but also pandemics, climate change, and other crises.
An essential part of Finland’s system is its national conscription program, which makes military service mandatory for men and voluntary for women. In addition, there are prestigious national defence courses designed for leaders across business, academia, and government, reinforcing a broad-based understanding of security issues. These programs ensure that even civilians can be mobilized and contribute meaningfully in emergencies.
Another major component of Finland’s preparedness is its robust stockpiling system. Households are expected to keep enough food, water, and medicine for at least 72 hours. Meanwhile, companies that import or manufacture critical goods must maintain months’ worth of reserves. The government’s National Emergency Supply Agency (NESA) oversees this infrastructure, ensuring essential resources are available and distributable during a crisis.
Original story was published by ABC news on 14.05.2025 and can be found here.
Finland gives 1% of its GDP in military aid to Ukraine—and says use it in Russia
Finland’s contribution of nearly 1% of its GDP in military aid to Ukraine, one of the highest contributions globally relative to national economic size, was covered in an article by Euromaidan Press on May 15. The article provides a comprehensive overview of Finland’s transformation from a traditionally neutral country to one of Ukraine’s most committed allies in its defence against Russian aggression.
After joining NATO in April 2023 in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Finland quickly transitioned from symbolic support to full-scale, strategic partnership. Finland’s military aid is notable not just in volume but in scope. Since the invasion began, it has delivered 28 military aid packages totaling €2.7 billion, including artillery, air defence systems, and winter gear. It also permits Ukraine to use its supplied weapons on Russian territory, a rare policy stance among donor countries. Moreover, Finland supports joint defence manufacturing projects with Ukrainian companies, such as drone production ventures aimed at sustaining Ukraine’s defence industry over the long term.
The country also plays a central role in training Ukrainian forces through EU and UK-led missions and has helped establish the Nordic-Baltic Brigade to train thousands more soldiers. Beyond military assistance, Finland actively enforces sanctions against Russia, has frozen millions in Russian assets, and supports efforts to repurpose frozen central bank revenues for Ukraine’s benefit.
In the realm of cybersecurity and civil protection, Finland has shared its expertise and infrastructure models, particularly through its participation in the IT and Shelter Coalitions. It contributes to efforts to secure Ukrainian communications and construct modern bomb shelters based on its own civil defense system.
Demining is another critical area of involvement. Ukraine is now among the most heavily mined countries in the world, and Finland has helped fund a €700 million international demining initiative. This includes the delivery of vehicles, mine detectors, and extensive training for Ukrainian personnel, all vital for enabling postwar reconstruction.
Original story was published by Euromaidan Press on 15.05.2025 and can be found here.
Dennis Lehane to adapt U.S. remake of ‘outrageous’ Finnish hit ‘100 Litres of Gold’: ‘My favorite kind of story’
The U.S. adaptation of the Finnish hit dramedy ‘100 Litres of Gold’ was covered in an article by Variety on May 17. Dennish Lehane, known for works like The Drop and Apple TV+’s Black Bird, secured the remake rights through his production company, Hans Bubby. The article gives details of the project, marking another example of successful cultural crossover in contemporary cinema.
“It’s hilarious, outrageous and concerned with people who live on the margins. My favorite kind of story,” Lehane said. “I pitched it to my partner, Mackenzie Pietzak, pretty much the day I landed back in the U.S. She fell for it as hard as I did, and we decided to try an American remake.” Lehane added.
The original film, directed by Teemu Nikki and co-written with producer Jani Pösö, tells the quirky yet heartfelt story of two sisters, Taina and Pirkko, who face a crisis just before a local wedding: they’ve drunk the entire 100 liters of sahti (a traditional Finnish beer) they were supposed to brew for the event. Desperate, they must scramble to obtain more by any means necessary. The story blends comedic absurdity with themes of community, tradition, and survival.
100 Litres of Gold premiered in Finland in March 2025 and quickly rose to become the country’s most-watched domestic film of the year. The film’s success came as a pleasant surprise to the creators, who joked about Finland’s typically reserved response to comedy and credited strong distribution efforts by Finnish distributor Nelonen for the film’s popularity. Pösö noted it might be their best film yet, and Nikki remarked that years of persistence have finally paid off.
The Idea of adapting the film for American audiences came about serendipitously. Lehane contacted Nikki while the latter was sightseeing in Rome during a film festival. Initially unaware of Lehane’s stature, Nikki jokingly replied before realizing the sender was the Dennis Lehane. Both Nikki and Pösö were thrilled and honored by the prospect of a Hollywood adaptation, with Pösö likening himself to a fanboy.
Original story was published by Variety on 17.05.2025 and can be found here.
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