Apple on Monday unveiled plans to spend €1.7 billion on two eco-friendly data centres in Europe.
The facilities, each measuring 166,000 square metres, will be located in Athenry, Ireland and Viborg, Denmark. They will host the device maker’s various online services, including iTunes, iMessage, Maps, Siri and the App Store for its European customer base.
"This significant new investment represents Apple’s biggest project in Europe to date," said Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, in a statement.
Scheduled to become operational in 2017, both data centres will use 100% renewable energy. As part of the development project in Ireland, Apple will restore native trees to the nearby Derrydonnell Forest and will provide an outdoor learning space for local schools and a walking trail. In Viborg, Denmark, the facility will be built next to a substantial electrical substation, negating the need for additional generators. The data centre will also be designed to capture excess heat and feed it into a district heating system that will help to warm local houses.
"We’re excited to spur green industry growth in Ireland and Denmark and develop energy systems that take advantage of their strong wind resources," said Lisa Jackson, vice president of environmental initiatives at Apple.
"We’re thrilled to be expanding our operations, creating hundreds of local jobs and introducing some of our most advanced green building designs yet," added Cook.
Apple’s European operation directly employs 18,300 staff, a number that has swelled by 2,000 during the last 12 months.
