Apple has announced that it is investing €1.7 billion ($2 billion) to build and operate two data centers in Europe, each powered by 100 percent renewable energy.
The data centers located in County Galway, Ireland, and Denmark’s central Jutland, will power Apple’s online services including the iTunes Store, the App Store, iMessage, Maps and Siri for customers across Europe. Apple will also work with local partners to develop additional renewable energy projects from wind or other sources to provide power in the future.
“We are grateful for Apple’s continued success in Europe and proud that our investment supports communities across the continent. This significant new investment represents Apple’s biggest project in Europe to date. We’re thrilled to be expanding our operations, creating hundreds of local jobs and introducing some of our most advanced green building designs yet.”
said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO.
Both the data centers will measure 166,000 square meters with Apple promising to deliver benefits to the local community with both projects. The facility in Ireland will include outdoor education space and walking trails for local schools as well as schemes to replant native trees in the surrounding area. In case of Denmark, Apple will eliminate the need for additional generators by locating the data centre adjacent to one of Denmark’s largest electrical substations. The facility is also designed to capture excess heat from equipment inside the facility and conduct it into the district heating system to help warm homes in the neighbouring community.