Construction of the LUMI-AI data center in full swing

The familiar old paper machine hall surrounds the LUMI‑AI data center construction site in Renforsin Ranta, Kajaani, Finland – but the environment is changing rapidly. A new data center is being built to host the pan‑European EuroHPC LUMI‑AI supercomputer and the LUMI‑IQ quantum computer, both part of the LUMI AI Factory initiative. Actual construction work inside the former paper mill began in January 2026, with the goal of reaching production readiness in spring 2027. The supercomputer and quantum computer are expected to arrive as soon as the facility is completed. Procurement of these systems is still ongoing.

A lot has happened since I first came to Renforsin Ranta in 2012 to work in the data center sector, right next door to CSC. The LUMI‑AI data center project is my third major data center build. Each project has been bigger and more demanding than the previous. The new data center for LUMI‑AI and LUMI‑IQ will be the largest of them all – the biggest data center investment in CSC’s history, carried out together with the five LUMI‑AI consortium countries. In addition to Finland, this consortium includes the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Norway, and Poland. The LUMI‑AI supercomputer and LUMI‑IQ quantum computer will form the world’s most advanced publicly available research infrastructure combining quantum‑accelerated high‑performance computing (HPC) and artificial intelligence (AI).

Before this, the previous major project in the same hall was the data center built in 2022 for the EuroHPC LUMI supercomputer. The national Roihu supercomputer, added in 2025, also shares the same space.

The whole Kajaani region has become an important location for data centers, and numerous investment decisions have been made in the area. CSC and the LUMI supercomputer have acted as trailblazers.

A cost- and energy-efficient data center underway

As the years go by, one’s perspective on work evolves. It becomes increasingly important that things are done right – and that they feel right. Every project must strike a balance between cost and energy efficiency, as well as component quality, lifecycle, and maintainability. Following the example set by the current LUMI data center, we will also capture excess heat from the new supercomputer and feed it into the local district heating network.

It’s also important to me that CSC experts from different teams are involved in the project from the very beginning. This gives them valuable experience in data center projects and allows them to contribute their expertise and help shape the final outcome.

My days currently revolve around design meetings, installation reviews, site tours, contractor meetings, procurement reviews, and technical consultations. Installation inspections are particularly important – they ensure that the required quality, installation methods, and execution standards are met in every part of the project. Once a model installation is approved, it becomes the standard for all walls, pipes, cables, and other structures.

Alongside preparatory work, construction is now well underway. Earlier in the year, concrete castings were completed, structural pillars and wall elements were installed, floor surfaces treated, and grounding work carried out. The installation of the building’s technical systems will soon begin.

This work is genuinely fascinating to me, and each project has helped me grow tremendously as a professional. Few people get the chance to participate in a world‑class data center project of this scale – to see it progress from concept and design to construction and finally to production. Even now, I feel the same excitement I did during my first project: every time I step onto the construction site or into a new data center, I am genuinely interested and inspired by the work.

Co-designing the facility

One of the most significant aspects of this data center project has been the deep involvement of CSC’s experts in the design phase. Never before has our expertise been utilised so extensively in data center planning.

The design work is carried out in cooperation with the main contractor SRV, and our own team of specialists. Together, we review initial requirements, ensure component compliance and maintainability, and make sure the data center will operate correctly even in exceptional situations. This is especially important because the CSC team included in the development and design, will also be responsible for operating the data center once it is completed. We are building a facility intended to run for decades, even though the lifecycle of the supercomputers and quantum computers inside it is much shorter.

I am particularly pleased that local contractors and suppliers once again get the chance to demonstrate their expertise. So far, we have been able to rely on local professional talent as well as local materials. As an example, the CLT elements used in the data center are delivered from a local company. This local involvement helps strengthen the shared motivation to succeed.

Even though construction is still ongoing, our thoughts are already partly turning toward commissioning and operation. The data center commissioning phase is one of the most critical parts of the project. A data center is a critical infrastructure that must operate without disruptions and with high energy efficiency. Commissioning offers a rare opportunity to freely test the facility and verify that everything works according to plan – without risking production operations.

And of course, we must remember why we are building this data center in the first place. The LUMI‑AI supercomputer, optimised for artificial intelligence, and the LUMI‑IQ quantum computer will enable cutting‑edge scientific research and accelerate the development and application of AI and quantum technologies across Europe in the years to come.

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