Apple to open $2 billion solar-powered, global command center in Arizona

Apple unveiled plans Monday to pump $2 billion over the coming decade into a data center “global command” facility in the southwest state of Arizona. The project represents one of the largest investments ever by the makers of the iPhone, iPod, iPad and Macintosh computer. The facility had been the planned site of a plant to produce sapphire glass screens in a collaboration with GT Advance Technologies. The collaboration came apart late last year after GTAT filed for bankruptcy and accused Apple of saddling the company with onerous terms in the deal. State officials said the new investment is a good deal for Arizona. State Governor Doug Ducey said Apple has made a 30-year commitment with the data center, and that it will sign on about 150 employees along with creating hundreds of construction jobs during the building phases.

Apple remains the most aggressive among major IT companies in delivering on its commitments to be 100 percent renewable, and has shown the business community that solar is ready, here and now, to power our economy.

Greenpeace senior IT sector analyst Gary Cook

Technology