Apple plans to invest €1.7bn in two European data centres that will run on 100 per cent renewable energy.
The proposed facilities in County Galway, Ireland, and Denmark’s central Jutland will have the lowest environmental impact yet for an Apple data centre, the company said in a statement in February.
“This significant new investment represents Apple’s biggest project in Europe to date,” said Apple chief executive Tim Cook. “We’re thrilled to be expanding our operations, creating hundreds of local jobs and introducing some of our most advanced green building designs yet.”
Apple said the 166,000 square metre sites will begin operations in 2017 and run entirely on renewable energy sources from day one, taking advantage of the “strong wind resources” available in both countries.
Apple powers all of its data centres with 100% renewable energy, mostly solar power and wind, following a rapid overhaul of its environmental policies that has seen it invest heavily in clean energy projects and enhanced supply chain management efforts.
The projects mark the latest in a flurry of clean energy deals Apple has completed in the past year, including an $850m deal for a solar farm in California, also agreed in February.
“We believe that innovation is about leaving the world better than we found it, and that the time for tackling climate change is now,” said Lisa Jackson, Apple’s vice president of environmental initiatives. “Our commitment to environmental responsibility is good for the planet, good for our business and good for the European economy.”
As well as using green energy, Apple said the data centres will embrace a range of clean technologies and environmental improvements.
Click below to share this article