Apple gets go-ahead for €850m Galway data centre

U.S. 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.

Apple has today been given the green light for the development by An Bord Pleanala.

The new complex will be sited on a 197-hectare site near Athenry, and will include a data centre, an administration building and associated works.

Apple will be using the data center to store European data, as well as powering its iTunes Store, App Store, iMessage, Maps, and Siri.

Planning permission was granted by Galway Co Council for the centre in September previous year, however, a number of appeals were lodged.

Deputy Grealish was the only TD to present in favour of Apple’s plans at the oral hearing in the city in May.

It is estimated that up to 300 jobs will be created during the construction phase of the facility.

He says the planning approval is the first piece in a major regional investment jigsaw which will put Athenry on a global stage.

A number of third party appeals were lodged with An Bord Pleanála against the decision of Galway County Council to grant planning permission for the development.