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.

Iowa is the number two wind state after Texas with 6.97GW of installed generation capacity on 30 June, American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) data shows. Iowa’s leadership in wind energy has also been cited by G oogle, Facebook and Microsoft as a key reason for locating data centres there.

"At Apple, we admire what you guys have accomplished and we want to be a part of it," chief executive Tim Cook said at a ceremony outside the state capitol building in Des Moines with Governor Kim Reynolds. He also cited Iowa’s “world-class grid” as a deciding factor in favor of Iowa.

The Des Moines Register reported that Apple will obtain about $207m in local and state tax incentives to locate the data centre in Waukee, a Des Moines Suburb. It will initially employ 50 people.

California-based Apple agreed to give $100m to a fund that will support community projects and infrastructure upgrades in Waukee.

Wind

Apple to invest $1.3bn in Iowa wind-powered data centre