Apple Invests $2 Billion in European ‘Green’ Data Centers
CUPERTINO, Calif.—Apple has announced that it will spend nearly 1.7 billion euros ($2 billion) to develop two new 100% renewable energy data centers in Europe. The centers will be located in Athenry, Ireland, and Viborg, Denmark. Apple said both locations will have the “lowest environmental impact” of its data centers. The data centers are expected to come online in 2017 and will each measure 166 000 m2 (1.79 million ft2). The Ireland data center will be built on land that had been used for commercial forestry. There, the company will conduct a project to restore native trees, and also will build an outdoor education space. In Denmark, the data center will be built next to one of Denmark’s largest electrical substations, the company says. That will eliminate the need to build additional generators. Also, Apple says it will use heat generated from its facility to provide heat to local homes.
