Sesterce, a French AI infrastructure company plans to invest € 10 billion (US$ 11.2 billion) in an artificial intelligence computing campus at the former Kaipola paper mill in Jämsä, Finland. The project will repurpose the industrial site for AI computing infrastructure, with the first phase planned to begin in 2026.
According to a press release, the redevelopment will make use of existing infrastructure, including buildings, electricity connections, water systems and logistics links. The first phase will have a capacity of 200 MW, with a second phase expected to increase total capacity to 600 MW.
Sesterce aims to develop more than 1 GW of AI computing capacity across existing industrial sites in Finland over the longer term. The Kaipola project already has an anchor customer and that further development will depend on demand for computing capacity.
“Our goal is to preserve the area’s industrial identity while making use of existing infrastructure, including the power grid, water systems, buildings and logistics connections,” said Youssef El Manssouri, CEO, Sesterce. “Our planning is based on energy-efficient and flexible operations. The Sesterce Campus projects will use liquid cooling, deliver high energy efficiency and feature controllable and flexible power consumption. Opportunities for utilizing waste heat are also being considered as part of the design.”
Sesterce plans to use liquid cooling and systems that allow electricity consumption to be adjusted according to operating conditions. Sesterce is also examining options for using waste heat from the computing infrastructure. The cooling system will use a closed loop liquid process supplemented by harvested rainwater and recycled water. Drinking water will not be used for cooling, the City of Jämsä and local residents will select the projects receiving funding.
Jorma Myllymäki, CEO, Elenia, said, “A functioning, reliable and resilient electricity network is a key enabler of vitality, economic growth, and large-scale industrial investments. The Kaipola industrial site is connected to Elenia’s high-voltage electricity network, which currently provides a solid foundation for implementing the first phase of the project.”
Jori Reijula, Mayor, Jämsä, said, “The Sesterce project is an interesting opportunity to strengthen the vitality of the region, provided it progresses from plans to implementation and meets the applicable requirements. The City wants to advance investment projects in cooperation with businesses and will assess each project carefully as it moves forward.”
Sesterce has also outlined commitments on renewable energy, water use and community investment. For every 1 MW of electricity consumed by the campus, 1 MW of new renewable generation capacity within Finland’s electricity grid within ten years of the campus becoming operational. Only newly built generation capacity will count towards the commitment.
Electricity infrastructure will also influence the project’s development since the Kaipola site is connected to Elenia’s high-voltage electricity network, which provides a basis for implementing the first phase. Sesterce is also exploring other existing industrial sites in Finland for potential AI infrastructure developments. The scale and timing of future projects will depend on market demand and the infrastructure available at each location.