Cerebras Systems (technology company) has announced a new artificial intelligence data center in Mikkeli, Finland, developed in partnership with Compute Nordic Finland (AI Developer), with capacity designed to scale in phases to 165 megawatts of contracted IT infrastructure. Construction on the initial 50 MW phase is already underway, with the project structured through a series of service orders, each carrying seven-year contract terms.

The announcement, made on September 1, 2026, positions the Mikkeli facility as a long-term industrial anchor for the South Savo region.

Phased Build-Out from 50 MW to Full Scale

The facility is structured to expand in stages, moving from an initial 50 MW capacity to 80 MW and eventually reaching the full 165 MW as data center capacity is delivered.

Cerebras described the agreement as contractually committed rather than speculative, with each phase governed by seven-year service order terms that give the company long-term, purpose-built infrastructure to support growing global demand for its AI compute platform.

Pyry Virrantaus, CEO of Compute Nordic Finland, said the partnership reflects the actual state of market demand. "This partnership with Cerebras is not a speculative bet on future demand; it's a contractually committed, phased build-out that reflects exactly how much AI compute the market needs today and where that need is heading," he said.

"We are proud to build that capacity in Mikkeli, alongside a partner network of local and national organizations who are ready to deliver the project and build the workforce it requires."

Efficiency and Closed-Loop Cooling at the Core of the Design

Cerebras and Compute Nordic Finland said the Mikkeli facility was designed for efficiency from the outset, with a focus on optimizing both power and water usage.

The campus uses closed-loop cooling systems that recirculate water rather than draw continuously from the municipal supply. The design also supports waste-heat recovery, enabling thermal energy generated by AI compute operations to be redirected as a resource for the surrounding community.

Andrew Feldman, CEO and co-founder of Cerebras, said the facility's physical design aligns with the company's broader approach to infrastructure. "Our architecture is built to get more useful AI output out of every megawatt we deploy," Feldman said. "Mikkeli lets us pair that efficiency with a data center designed for closed-loop cooling and heat reuse from the ground up."

Permanent Jobs and Long-Term Economic Impact

The Ramboll analysis estimates that at full scale, the project will support between 80 and 250 direct permanent jobs and generate between USD 928,800 and USD 2.90 million per year in property tax revenue for the region.

Both Cerebras and Compute Nordic Finland emphasized that the employment model is designed around sustained, technical roles rather than short-term construction activity.

Roles expected to be created and maintained over the life of the facility include operations, power and cooling engineering, networking, security, and facilities management, alongside the near-term construction and local supply chain activity already in progress.

Virrantaus said the focus on permanence was deliberate when evaluating the site. "The clearest measure of a project like this isn't the number of construction jobs it creates upfront; it's what remains ten or twenty years later," he said. "We looked at permanent employment, workforce pathways, local suppliers, and durable economic activity when building this out in Mikkeli."

Regional Cooperation and Partner Network

The Mikkeli project is being developed in close cooperation with the City of Mikkeli and key regional stakeholders across South Savo. A broad network of Finnish construction, engineering, energy, recruitment, and professional services partners is supporting the development.

Compute Nordic Finland is leading project development, operator responsibility, the customer interface, and overall programme governance for the campus.

Cerebras' Infrastructure Footprint Expands

Cerebras, listed on the Nasdaq exchange under the ticker CBRS, describes itself as a builder of AI infrastructure and positions its wafer-scale computing platform as central to its commercial offering.

The company said global demand for its AI compute services is continuing to grow, and that Mikkeli adds a purpose-built, efficiency-first facility to its broader infrastructure footprint.

The company said its broader approach to data center development prioritizes building long-term technical capability and high-quality permanent jobs around advanced AI infrastructure, rather than treating individual sites as temporary construction projects. The Mikkeli facility is framed within that strategy as a sustained commitment to the South Savo region rather than a short-cycle deployment.

Compute Nordic Finland describes itself as a developer and operator of high-density AI data center infrastructure in Finland, working with local communities, energy providers, and technology talent to deliver long-term industrial investment. The company is leading project development and programme governance for the Mikkeli campus.

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