Apple will spend EUR 1.7 billion to build and operate two new data centers in Ireland and Denmark to power its iTunes Store, App Store, iMessage, Maps and Siri for customers across Europe.
The facilities, located in County Galway, Ireland, and Denmark’s central Jutland, will use 100% renewable energy. Each will measure 166,000 square metres and expected to begin operations in 2017.
Apple noted that it now directly employs 18,300 people across 19 European countries and has added over 2,000 jobs in the last 12 months. Last year, Apple spent more than €7.8 billion with European companies. Apple also cited a number of ecological steps it will take to mitigate the impact of its new data centers, including helping to restore native trees to Derrydonnell Forest in Ireland and contributing excess heat from the new building in Denmark to a district heating system in the local community.
