DUBLIN: The iPhone maker has announced that it will spend nearly $2 billion (€1.7 billion) to develop two new 100% renewable energy data centers in Europe.
The centers which will use wind power and other green fuel sources — will be located in Athenry, Ireland, and Viborg, Denmark. Apple said that they will power services such as apps in the App Store, Siri and iMessage. Both locations will run on 100 percent renewable energy and Apple said they will have the “lowest environmental impact” of its data centers thus far.
It will also be following in the footsteps of companies like Facebook, which has also built sustainable data center operations out in Europe.
Apple CEO Tim Cook said the new developments, which are expected to come online in 2017 and will measure 166,000 square meters each, will create “hundreds” of new jobs in the local areas.
We are grateful for Apple’s continued success in Europe and proud that our investment supports communities across the continent,” said Cook added. He and other Apple executives are currently on a tour of Europe, making a stop earlier today in Germany at the factory that is making the glass windows for Apple’s new campus.