Apple Acquires Hydroelectric Project Near Its Oregon Data Center

oregon_data_center_apple_web

The Oregonian reports that Apple has taken over a hydroelectric project near its data center in Oregon, according to government filings from last week. The hydroelectric plant, which would produce between 3 and 5 megawatts (enough to power 2,000 to 3,500 homes), would be used to help Apple maintain its 100 percent renewable energy rating.

The 45-mile project is located near Haystack Reservoir in a Jefferson County irrigation canal about 20 miles from Prineville. The price Apple paid for the project is unknown, but the previous owner, EBD Hydro, reportedly secured some $8.5 million in federal loans and grants to help finance it.

The data center in Prineville, Oregon will in fact use renewable resources including wind, hydroelectric, and solar energy, according to a statement on the company’s environmental website.

Apple seems to have taken over the project in the early development stages, but the company has denied to comment on the state of the project.

Apple Prineville data center

Apple’s data center began construction in October 2012 and will be 338,000 square-feet, and may be closer to completion than we initially expected. Currently, Apple has two operational solar farms, in Maiden, North Carolina, that provide 42 million kWh of clean and renewable energy. Apple has stated that its data center in Oregon will be just as environmentally friendly as the one in Maiden.

[via AppleInsider]

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