Apple plans major expansions at Arizona and Nevada data centers
Apple is looking to bolster its services backend with major expansions at existing data centers in Arizona and Nevada, including a $1 billion investment that doubles its commitment to a Reno Technology Park facility.
Apple's Mesa, Ariz., global command center.
According to AppleInsider sources, construction of a previously planned "phase 2" addition to Apple's Mesa, Ariz., data center is well underway. Contractors are busy outfitting the facility with new equipment, while construction crews work to build out roads and supporting infrastructure surrounding the campus.
Apple is expected to further increase the size of its Arizona data center in the near future as part of a "phase 3" expansion, sources said.
In 2015, Apple promised to invest $2 billion over ten years in a global command data center to be built at the site of the company's failed sapphire production project. That commitment was later raised to $2 billion over five years, with plans to set aside additional funding for 30 years.
The upcoming phase 3 upgrades have not been disclosed publicly, but are thought to be part of the previously announced investment.
Apple's Mesa data center was built out on property initially leased by Apple as part of a $578 million contract with sapphire producer GT Advanced Technologies. The deal went sour in 2014 after GT Advanced failed to meet Apple's strict production expectations, prompting the small firm to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Once GT Advanced vacated the lease, Apple transformed the large 1.3-million-square-foot plot into a global command center powered by renewable energy, including an on-site solar farm.
Separately, Apple representatives on Wednesday announced a $1 billion expansion of its Reno, Nev., data center, doubling the company's initial investment in the region, reports the Reno Gazette-Journal.
During a Reno City Council meeting, Apple director of state and local affairs Mike Foulkes said the project will create "hundreds of jobs in construction and operation."
Foulkes was on hand to discuss a proposed agreement that would grant Apple $6 million in sales tax abatements. As part of the deal, Apple will build a shipping and receiving warehouse -- a purchase rumored earlier this week -- on a now vacant lot in downtown Reno. The plot is zoned as a tourism improvement district, meaning the company is subject to lower sales tax rates on equipment bound for the data center.
The Reno City Council approved Apple's proposal in a 6 to 1 vote.
Apple's Mesa, Ariz., global command center.
According to AppleInsider sources, construction of a previously planned "phase 2" addition to Apple's Mesa, Ariz., data center is well underway. Contractors are busy outfitting the facility with new equipment, while construction crews work to build out roads and supporting infrastructure surrounding the campus.
Apple is expected to further increase the size of its Arizona data center in the near future as part of a "phase 3" expansion, sources said.
In 2015, Apple promised to invest $2 billion over ten years in a global command data center to be built at the site of the company's failed sapphire production project. That commitment was later raised to $2 billion over five years, with plans to set aside additional funding for 30 years.
The upcoming phase 3 upgrades have not been disclosed publicly, but are thought to be part of the previously announced investment.
Apple's Mesa data center was built out on property initially leased by Apple as part of a $578 million contract with sapphire producer GT Advanced Technologies. The deal went sour in 2014 after GT Advanced failed to meet Apple's strict production expectations, prompting the small firm to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Once GT Advanced vacated the lease, Apple transformed the large 1.3-million-square-foot plot into a global command center powered by renewable energy, including an on-site solar farm.
Separately, Apple representatives on Wednesday announced a $1 billion expansion of its Reno, Nev., data center, doubling the company's initial investment in the region, reports the Reno Gazette-Journal.
During a Reno City Council meeting, Apple director of state and local affairs Mike Foulkes said the project will create "hundreds of jobs in construction and operation."
Foulkes was on hand to discuss a proposed agreement that would grant Apple $6 million in sales tax abatements. As part of the deal, Apple will build a shipping and receiving warehouse -- a purchase rumored earlier this week -- on a now vacant lot in downtown Reno. The plot is zoned as a tourism improvement district, meaning the company is subject to lower sales tax rates on equipment bound for the data center.
The Reno City Council approved Apple's proposal in a 6 to 1 vote.
Comments
I keep wondering why in a country now with an oil surplus, why these controversial pipelines from Canada are not bringing water?
With rising sea levels, I'd be looking at somewhere on high ground at the very least.
but seriously why? Isn't is illegal to go 'off grid' in FLA? I'd be wary of investing in places like that.
Remember that Apple uses the grid to move the power they generate. With a monopoly like FPL, won't they charge an arm and a leg to do that? So what's the incentive eh?
We are able to go 'off grid' in Florida but being able to sell excess power back to the grid as in many states helps offsets installation costs and stimulates adoption.
Meanwhile FPL are running around the clock ads claiming to being innovative and the country's leading utility in going green with investments in large solar farms. Which means they want to continue the monopoly only now using free sunshine which is a better alternative than coal or nuclear obviously but I'd love to see we the people here be self sufficient if not in profit given almost daily sunshine year round.
You are correct there is no incentive for FPL to alter course. Only big evil government, err, I mean we the people, could change that outcome with changes in the law.