Estonia, Internet, Markets and Companies, Technology, Telecomunications

Apple displayed visible interest in Estonia as would-be host of the server park and its representatives came here repeatedly to look at potential locations. Estonia's too high energy taxes, primarily the electricity exise duty and renewable energy fee, may have proved a stumbling block, the newspaper said.

In addition the newspaper said that Apple wanted to use sea water as cooling agent for its server park and that getting the necessary permit for the special use of water would have taken at least five years.

Sille Ader, spokesperson for the Environmental Board, denied this, saying that in accordance with law the procedure of a permit for special use of water takes three months, not five years.

Marti Haal, board member of Alexela Group, said it's a great pity that an opportunity like this was missed.

"We actually cannot imagine what new doors and opportunities an investment like this would have opened for Estonia," he said.

A few months after saying no to Estonia Apple announced that it will set up data centers in Denmark and Ireland, investing altogether 1.7 bln euros. The data center will be used to store the data of European users that so far has been kept in the United States.