Update: Galway Independent (via Business Insider) reports that a hearing date has now been set, for Tuesday 24th May. The venue has not yet been confirmed.
Apple’s plan to build one of the world’s largest data centers in Ireland hit a stumbling block earlier this month when local residents filed objections. The planning body, An Bord Pleanála, said that it would be pushing back its decision from February to May in order to consider those objections.
Business Insider reports that An Bord Pleanála has now written to Apple’s consulting engineers, asking them to address five concerns …
Location: The board specifically wants Apple to provide more detail about why it has chosen to build the data centre in a forest near the small town of Athenry over other locations around Ireland.
Renewables: Apple has stated that it wants to use 100% renewable energy to power the data centre but the board claims “no site or project specific information regarding renewable energy projects is provided and details of how they might be connected to the proposed development is required.”
Environmental impact: Apple covered the expected environmental impact of the data center itself, but not the electricity substation that would be needed. The impact statement also covers only the first of what Apple hopes will be just the first of eight data halls at the site. Finally, it wants Apple to consider the revised impact should direct solar power prove inadequate (a reference to Ireland’s weather, perhaps …).
Protected species: An Bord Pleanála wants Apple and Arup to provide the results of the ecological surveys it carried out (specifically those relating to bats) as well as details on any further surveys it plans to carry out.
Geology: Apple and Arup have also been asked for more information about the geology of the site they want to build on. (Likely to ensure no unexpected long-term environmental impact.)
The planning body has given Apple until 7th March to respond.
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These all sound like very reasonable questions for them to ask. I am wondering about how the site would run on 100% renewable energy but also needed to include an electricity substation, presumably to connect to the local grid.
That’s generally the case, I think: you feed in excess capacity to the grid in the day, and draw from the grid at night.
Makes sense. Use them grid as your “storage” so the net effect is 100% renewable, even if at night it isn’t
LOL the only way this site will be powered on 100% renewable energy is if the grid suppling it is run on 100% renewable energy. The mechanical cooling systems alone will be in the mega watts, and they run 24 hours a day.
Im pleased to see a few questions being asked, instead of the usual ‘nod’ through. It’s clearly reasonable to have claims substantiated – for example , with the renewables.
Not years of environmental studies to build like in some parts of the US?
Seems like all 5 things would been asked of Apple during the orifgnal proposal instead after the propasal was made.
I agree with everyone else, all of these requests are very reasonable and somewhat surprised that these weren’t in the original paperwork.
How tough it must be for someone like Apple to accede to Politically Correct demands when its only crime is that it wants to build a data center to conduct lawful business. We need to turn these types of demands on their head and expect the right to the freedom of production and trade not be violated by any government or committee of concerned citizens.
I can’t tell if this is satire or not
No, no no, and uh no.
I’m continually amazed how the term Politically Correct is only used by Conservative, Libertarian types who want everything their own way and to hell with what is good for society or the country. Government is there to prevent abuses. It’s there to make sure everyone plays by the rules. Government IS the cop on the street that makes sure that who has the biggest wad and largest gun don’t run things at the expense of everyone else.
I suggest you ask the people near Love Canal or Bhopal if there should be an absolute Freedom of Production and Trade. I suggest you check with the victims about whether the public good should be “turned on their head” for any corporate desire.
Go Home
I didn’t know server farms are as dangerous as chemical plants and nuclear power plants.
Thanks for me know.
If I was Apple I’d be like: OK we’ll build in America then. They already made much more effort to be considerate to the locale and environment than most companies would. Ireland clearly aren’t interested in the economic benefits of this center.
I think you’ll find that data farms are best geographically dispersed and nearer their users. Most of them no longer reside in the US.
I’d say see ya Ireland!!!
Hope the planning body will receive a letter on March 7th like this: ‘By the way we want to inform you that we moved the project back into the US. Your environment including bats and other species will be save. Sincerely….’