Tech giant Apple to invest €850m in new Irish data centre

The centre, to be opened in 2017, will power Apple’s online services, including the iTunes store and the Apps store.

“This significant new investment represents Apple’s biggest project in Europe to date. We’re thrilled to be expanding our operations, creating hundreds of local jobs and introducing some of our most advanced green building designs yet,” Apple chief executive Tim Cook said.

IDA Ireland said the centre would create 300 jobs, including the construction process.

Apple said the new centres would run entirely on clean, renewable energy sources.

The company said that for the Athenry project it 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,” Apple said.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny welcomed the announcement.

“I was delighted this morning to hear the announcement by Apple. This is the start of a very exciting trend where others may well follow. I had two very positive meetings with Tim Cook, chief executive, both in Cork and Silicon Valley and it was an ideal opportunity to stress to him the opportunities that exist for that kind of development here in Ireland,” he said.