Strong local expertise in Compute Nordic’s data center project

Local presence supported by a nationwide network of experts

Granlund has played an important role in the project from its earliest stages. The collaboration with Compute Nordic began in 2024, when Granlund completed the concept design for the data center campus.

Granlund continued as an expert partner during the building permit phase and is now responsible for the implementation design of the project. Approximately 50 specialists are currently involved in the design organisation alone.

The project is managed from Mikkeli, which has been important to Compute Nordic from the beginning of the cooperation.

“A project of this scale requires strong expertise, a shared commitment to success, and close collaboration between all partners. Granlund’s local presence combined with its nationwide network of experts is a particularly valuable combination for us,” Virrantaus says.

“By ensuring seamless cooperation between design, project management and construction, we create the conditions needed to meet our requirements and support the long-term development of the campus.”

The Mikkeli data center project is a strategically important investment for Compute Nordic. Through this development, we are building internationally competitive AI computing infrastructure in Finland.

Pyry Virrantaus, CEO of Compute Nordic Finland

Granlund responsible for design and design management

Granlund has overall responsibility for coordinating and managing the design process. In addition to architectural, structural, HVAC and electrical design, the assignment covers several specialist disciplines, including environmental solutions and fire safety engineering.

“Granlund’s electrical engineering scope also includes the medium- and high-voltage networks that will supply the significant power required by the data center. The project further includes solutions for the 110 kV electrical infrastructure being developed for the site,” says Riku Vihko, Business Director at Granlund Mikkeli.

In addition to design services, Granlund provides comprehensive project management, client representation and site supervision services. These include procurement support, contract management, project coordination, and supervision of construction, HVAC and electrical works.

According to Esa Nykänen, Granlund Mikkeli’s Regional Director, approximately 20 Granlund professionals are involved in project management roles.

“Design is currently the largest and most visible part of our work, but project management is the engine that enables the entire project to move forward.”

A project of this scale requires strong expertise, a shared commitment to success, and close collaboration between all partners.

Pyry Virrantaus, CEO of Compute Nordic Finland

Large-scale and technically demanding project

The main contractor for the first phase is NYAB Finland. NYAB and Granlund work closely together with Compute Nordic Finland throughout the phased implementation of the campus.

According to Vihko, one of the most interesting aspects of the project is its scale. Comparable industrial investments have not previously been carried out in the Mikkeli region.

“Another particularly interesting feature is the phased development of the campus. During the design and construction of the first phase, it is essential to ensure that future phases can be integrated seamlessly into the overall campus while the completed areas are already in operation.”

Vihko notes that aligning the technical systems with the customer’s requirements demands extensive expertise. In addition, the project schedule is ambitious, requiring decisions and solutions to be developed rapidly.

Compute Nordic Finland and the US-based chip technology company Cerebras Systems have signed a seven-year agreement covering data center capacity. The facility is specifically designed for high-density AI computing workloads, making it a key part of Finland’s growing AI infrastructure.

Esa Nykänen, Granlund Mikkeli’s Regional Director