Data centers, data valleys, and the next phase of the data economy

By Taina Ahti-Aalto, Operations Director, atNorth

Last week, I had the privilege to attend the Data Economy 2026 – From Roadmaps to Implementation in Kouvola, Finland. With around 150 participants spanning industry leaders, policymakers and operators, the event reflected a clear and growing momentum for the data economy as well as Kouvola’s emergence as a hub for data center development. 

Speakers including Mika Tuulia (Principal Advisor at the Confederation of Finnish Industries), Tapio Virkkunen (Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment), and Tiina Davidsainen (FDCA’s Vice Chair of the Board)reinforced the critical importance of our industry and the opportunities at hand to drive sustainable, energy efficient, and responsible growth.

A clear theme surfaced across discussions: as investment accelerates, data centers are no longer viewed simply as enabling infrastructure, but as critical drivers of economic growth, regional development and community progress. The question is no longer whether to build, but rather how to ensure that growth delivers lasting value.

This is particularly evident in Finland, where strong factors such as renewable energy availability, grid reliability, digital infrastructure and a highly skilled workforce are driving significant investment. Increasingly, data centers are seen as foundational to national competitiveness, supporting AI development, digital services and the next generation of technology businesses.

One of the most encouraging developments was the growing traction behind the concept of the “data valley”. Kouvola’s ambition to become Northern Europe’s leading data hub by 2030 reflects a broader shift towards ecosystem-driven development, bringing together infrastructure, power, land, policy and people in a coordinated way.

This closely aligns with what we are seeing from our customers, where demand is increasingly shaped not just by capacity, but by location, sustainability credentials, community integration and long-term regional value.The discussions of the day reinforced exactly this – the importance of building strong connections between industry, local businesses, educational institutions and residents to create a resilient, future-ready data economy.

Environmental responsibility, long-term community value and a clear commitment to sustainable development are becoming equally important differentiators, particularly as scrutiny on the industry continues to grow. From our experience, the most successful developments are those that take a holistic view, where power is secured and used responsibly, and sites are designed to integrate into and benefit the surrounding environment and community.

As the industry scales, so too does the expectation that data centers contribute meaningfully to the societies in which they operate. During the panel discussion, I highlighted the importance of ensuring that local businesses, educational institutions and residents are not just observers of this transformation, but active participants in shaping it.

Building trust through engagement and transparency is essential. Data centers must demonstrate tangible local value – whether that be through job creation, heat reuse or broader economic contribution. In this context, building a strong local ecosystem is not just beneficial, but essential to enabling responsible, long-term growth.

Ultimately, Kouvola highlighted that the data economy is entering a new phase of maturity. As regions compete to attract investment, success will depend not just on speed, but on the ability to deliver lasting value for customers, communities and society.

Across the Nordics, this shift is already underway. With access to renewable energy, resilient infrastructure and deep technical expertise, the region is uniquely positioned to support Europe’s digital and AI-driven future. Kouvola’s vision is a compelling example of how this next phase is taking shape, where collaboration, sustainability and long-term thinking come together to define what successful data center development looks like.