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Apple's Europe Data Centers to Run on Renewables

Apple's Europe Data Centers to Run on Renewables
Apple's Europe Data Centers to Run on Renewables

Apple has announced $1.7bn plans to build two data centers in Europe powered entirely on renewable energy, The Guardian reported on Feb 23.

Chief executive Tim Cook said the developments in Galway, Ireland and Jutland in Denmark would be Apple’s largest-ever European project and would “introduce some of our most advanced green building designs”. At 120,000 sq m each, the centers will be among the largest in the world.

According to The Verge, the commitment to using renewable energy in both centers underscores Apple's green credentials. Earlier this month it announced it was investing $850 million in building a giant solar farm in collaboration with First Solar to power its new global headquarters, with Cook saying: "We know at Apple that climate change is real. The time for talk has passed and the time for action is now."

The $850 million investment will allow Apple to receive 130 megawatts of power to run its new headquarters in Cupertino (currently under construction), all of its California retail stores and a data center, as well as 60,000 homes California.

Environmental groups such as Greenpeace have historically criticized Apple for lack of transparency regarding its carbon footprint and the environmental impacts of its products. In a report published in April 2014, however, Greenpeace called Apple “the most improved company" since their last full report, adding, “[Apple] has shown itself to be the most innovative and most aggressive in pursuing its commitment to be 100% renewably powered.”

 

Financialtribune.com