Google has now received a building permit from Avesta municipality for a data center on its land in Horndal, valid for two years. Groundwork began in November 2025, but the company has not yet made a formal decision to build. Preparatory work will continue until August.
Google purchased 109 hectares of forest land from Avesta municipality in 2017, an area equivalent to 150 football fields. For several years, the company stated that no business decision had been made regarding its use. However, in mid-November 2025, groundwork began in earnest, including blasting and heavy traffic, with up to 90 people involved at peak.
Avesta municipality has granted a building permit for a data center, valid for two years. Joakim Larsson, communications chief for Google Sweden, states: “We continue with various preparatory works on the land and are working to ensure we have all permits in place if we make a business decision to build a data center.” The plan is to complete the groundwork by August.
Local residents in Horndal have appealed parts of the plans, particularly the raising of the land by up to 10 meters where the server halls are to be located. Earlier in the process, municipal councilor Blerta Krenzi (S) welcomed Google's application for land permit as an “incredibly important step” for the area.