Apple has announced that it will invest in building two of the largest onshore wind turbines in the world to provide a clean, renewable energy source that helps reduce the carbon footprint of its products and supply chain to zero.
Once installed near the Danish city of Esbjerg, these wind turbines are expected to reach 200 meters high and produce 62 gigawatt hours per year, enough to power nearly 20.000 homes. In addition, they will be used to test powerful offshore wind turbine models. The energy produced in Esbjerg will power Apple's data center in Viborg, while the surplus will go to the Danish electricity grid.
“Tackling climate change requires urgent action on a global scale, and the Viborg data center is proof that we can rise to this generational challenge,” said Lisa Jackson, vice president, Environment, Policy and Apple Social Initiatives. “Investments in clean energy translate into groundbreaking innovations that bring sustainable supply and quality jobs to businesses and local communities. It is something on which we must chart the course for the good of our planet and future generations ”.
Last month, Apple announced its plans to achieve carbon neutrality across all of its business lines, the entire manufacturing supply chain, and the entire lifecycle of its products by 2030. Although Apple already uses energy renewable and has reduced its carbon footprint to zero across its operations, this new commitment means that, by 2030, all Apple devices sold will have zero impact on climate change. This includes the transition of all its European suppliers to renewable energy.
Progress in supplier engagement
Varta, a Germany-based supplier, made a commitment this week to use 100% renewable energy in all of its manufacturing for Apple.
Across Europe, Apple suppliers are working to adopt clean energy solutions, including Henkel and tesa SE in Germany, DSM Engineering Materials in the Netherlands, STMicroelectronics in Switzerland and Solvay in Belgium.
These solutions include DSM's wind power purchase agreement in the Netherlands and STMicroelectronics' solar roofed car park in Morocco. Companies like Solvay are extending the use of renewable energy to other businesses after joining Apple's clean energy program for suppliers five years ago.
Apple launched the program in October 2015 to help suppliers reduce energy consumption and switch to 100% renewable electricity. Since then, 72 manufacturing partners in 17 different countries have committed to using this type of energy in all of their manufacturing for Apple. When these commitments are implemented, CO2e emissions will be reduced by more than 14,3 million tons per year, which is equivalent to taking more than 3 million cars off the road in the same period.
Data center in Viborg
Apple's data center in Viborg, a 45.000-square-foot facility that provides network support and data storage to its users across the region, is now operational. This hub helps keep the Apple App Store, Apple Music, iMessage, Siri and other services in Europe fully powered by renewable energy from local sources.
The Esbjerg wind project follows the recent construction of one of the largest Scandinavian solar plants in Thisted, north of the Jutland peninsula, the first in Denmark not to receive public subsidies.
The wind and solar projects provide electricity to the data center Apple recently opened in Viborg, which is powered by 100 percent renewable energy. Apple collaborates on both initiatives with European Energy.
The Viborg center had more than 600 skilled workers in the field during its construction, involving many Danish companies. The center is now managed by a team of data experts, technicians, and maintenance and safety managers, many of whom reside in the area.
