Orka Technologies is moving ahead with its data center project in the EcoSairila area of Mikkeli, Finland. The company has confirmed its investment decision for the first phase, which will deliver 5 megawatts (MW) of capacity under an existing construction permit. Construction is scheduled to begin in Q1 2026 with the initial phase expected to go live in Q3 2026.
The project’s swift progress has been made possible through a grid connection agreement with Järvi-Suomen Energia leveraging a new flexible connection model. Orka Technologies has engineered the data center to operate as a flexible power consumer optimizing electricity usage and contributing to overall grid stability.
“Securing the grid connection was a prerequisite for our investment decision. In Mikkeli all stakeholders have been highly proactive in driving the project forward,” says Roope Rämänen, Chief Operating Officer at Orka Technologies.
The flexible connection model allows electricity users to adjust their consumption when needed. In this case it enables access to the grid ahead of the scheduled upgrade of the local high-voltage infrastructure, which would otherwise delay the project. The arrangement is temporary and only available under specific conditions. Järvi-Suomen Energia has been preparing for this model for several years.
“Flexible electricity users help maintain grid operability and system-wide balance. Our aim is to enable new investments in the region while keeping the electricity network reliable” says Arto Nieminen, CEO of Järvi-Suomen Energia.
On 3 February the City of Mikkeli approved the reservation of additional land to support future expansion of the project. Orka Technologies now holds rights to a total of 10.5 hectares allowing for a long-term build-out of more than 100 MW of capacity. The company had previously leased a plot in the EcoSairila area for the data center.
“Mikkeli provides a stable and efficient environment for data center development. Projects move forward in a structured manner and in close cooperation with all key stakeholders” says Jussi Heinimö, Director of Investment Promotion at Mikkeli Development Miksei Ltd.
In Mikkeli data center development is driven by effective collaboration between businesses, grid operators and public-sector partners.
More information
Roope Rämänen, Chief Operating Officer, Orka Technologies Oy, +358 400 124 698, roope@oes.com
Arto Nieminen, CEO, Järvi-Suomen Energia Oy, +358 400 670 525, arto.nieminen@ssso.fi
Jussi Heinimö, Director, Invest In, Mikkeli Development Miksei Ltd, +358 40 544 0936, jussi.heinimo@mikseimikkeli.fi
Orka Technologies Oy is a Finnish–Icelandic company that develops and implements data center and energy-intensive infrastructure projects in Finland.
Järvi-Suomen Energia Oy is a Finnish electricity distribution company that builds, maintains and develops an approximately 28,500-kilometre electricity network in the Lake Finland region and provides electricity distribution for more than 102,000 customers.
The Promoting Investments in South Savo ERDF project managed by Mikkeli Development Miksei Ltd, aims to attract and promote investments in the South Savo region. The project is co-funded by the EU, and the funding authority is the Regional Council of South Savo.
