New Investment Platform Provides a Nationwide Overview of Major Business Investments in Finland

The platform strengthens the shared knowledge base of regional authorities, government agencies and businesses, while helping identify the conditions needed to support project implementation.

According to Heino Vasara, Strategy Manager at Lapland Economic Development Centre, the platform offers an up-to-date overview of major projects planned or underway across Finland.

"The platform highlights future development opportunities across Finland's regions. At the same time, it helps identify practical issues related to electricity networks, transport systems, workforce availability, permitting processes and the capacity of municipalities to accommodate growth," says Vasara.

The growing number of investments in northern Finland, combined with a rapidly changing operating environment, increases the need for long-term transport and infrastructure planning that extends beyond administrative and regional boundaries.

"To support sustainable growth, transport system needs must be anticipated well in advance. Development measures should be directed towards critical transport and logistics connections before capacity constraints emerge," says Jussi Huotari, Project Manager at Lapland Economic Development Centre and a member of the Platform North Steering Group.

The platform covers investment volumes and values, project stages, regional distribution, sectors and investment themes. For energy projects, estimated generation capacity is presented in megawatts (MW), alongside forecasts of construction and operational employment impacts. Only publicly available information is included.

Nearly EUR 290 Billion in Planned Investments

By the end of September, the database contained 1,145 investment projects with a combined estimated value of EUR 287 billion. These projects are expected to generate around 146,000 person-years of employment during construction and approximately 33,000 person-years during operation.

Not all projects have reached a final investment decision. They are categorised according to their stage of development, from feasibility studies and planning to construction and operational start-up.

Northern Finland Among the Leading Investment Regions

The largest concentrations of investment projects are located in Northern Ostrobothnia, Ostrobothnia and Lapland, highlighting the strong growth potential of northern Finland, particularly in sectors linked to the green transition and energy development.

The data also underscores the importance of enabling conditions such as electricity transmission capacity, transport and logistics connections, skilled labour availability, land use planning, permitting processes, housing supply and public-sector readiness.

"The total value of investments alone does not indicate how likely projects are to proceed or when they may be realised. For this reason, the platform distinguishes between project stages and identifies those that have already received a final investment decision," Vasara notes.

Supporting Better Planning and Coordination

The aim is to provide a more consistent and up-to-date picture of major business investments across Finland. Regional analysis helps identify both opportunities and bottlenecks affecting project delivery.

The information can support regional development, workforce forecasting, infrastructure planning and investment facilitation. It also provides a common evidence base for cooperation between municipalities, regional councils, educational institutions, businesses and national authorities.

The database is continuously updated and refined to improve data quality and support both strategic planning and practical decision-making related to future infrastructure, workforce and service needs.