US tech giant Apple has been given the go-ahead to develop a data centre in the west of Ireland that will be powered by 30MW of renewables.
National planners An Bord Pleanala approved the first phase of the scheme in Athenry this week.
The company is expected to power a 30MW phase one with onshore wind.
The iPhone maker hopes to build up to eight more so-called data halls over the next 15 years and may require as much as 240MW in renewable generation.
Apple is keen to secure a power purchase agreement from one or several wind farms and has been seeking expressions of interest from developers.
Image: sxc
