Apple To Invest $2B Building Green Data Centers In Ireland and Denmark

stephendavion writes Amid deeper investigations into how Apple may be using its operations in Ireland as a means for tax avoidance on tens of billions of dollars in profit, 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.

Comments

Re:Why not in the US?

[Zembar]

Because they already have major data centers in the US and want more of them closer to their customers in Europe?

Another fail power plan.

[Anonymous Coward]

Wind and solar has a proven track record of being UNSUSTAINABLE unless a disproportionate amount of land is used (ruined) to commit for huge unsightly wind and solar farms.

God I hope nobody lives anywhere near where those engineering abomination will be built. Wind power generation is HORRIBLE to live near.

Re: Why not in the US?

[bill_mcgonigle]

The US has the highest effective corporate tax rate, so yes, Denmark has to be lower.

The main difference is that the high rates exist here mainly to keep small businesses from becoming competitive with the multinationals (which buy off the politicians with campaign money in exchange for favorable treatment).

And, yes, Apple is trying to reduce its US footprint wherever it doesn't really matter. The only surprise is that they haven't bought Cuba (yet).