Apple will invest $1.3bn to build a wind-powered data centre in Iowa that the maker of iPhones, computers and iPads expects to have in commercial operation in 2020.

Apple officials did not immediately say how much wind capacity the planned 400,000sq foot (37,161sq meters) facility will utilize. Although still large consumers of power, data centres have become more energy efficient in the last several years as Internet companies have changed operating practices and invested heavily in new generation servers and related software.