Apple announces two new data centers in Europe


Apple Monday announced it will build two new data centers serving European customers. The data centers will be located in Ireland and Denmark. Both will be powered by 100% renewable energy from the start.

In the release, Apple emphasized the number of direct and indirect jobs Apple and the App Store represent with in Europe. Also a lot of emphasis on the environmental benefits of the data center projects:

The two data centres, each measuring 166,000 square metres, are expected to begin operations in 2017 and include designs with additional benefits for their communities. For the project in Athenry, Ireland, Apple will recover land previously used for growing and harvesting non-native trees and restore native trees to Derrydonnell Forest. The project will also provide an outdoor education space for local schools, as well as a walking trail for the community.

In Viborg, Denmark, Apple will eliminate the need for additional generators by locating the data centre adjacent to one of Denmark's largest electrical substations. The facility is also designed to capture excess heat from equipment inside the facility and conduct it into the district heating system to help warm homes in the neighboring community.