Apple plans to transform its sapphire production plant into an all-green data center.

Based in Mesa, Ariz., the factory will serve as a command center for the company's global networks, employing 150 full-time Apple employees, and providing 300 to 500 trade and construction jobs.

In a statement, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey said Apple will power the facility with 100 percent renewable energy. Cupertino will build and finance "solar projects that will take advantage of Arizona's excellent solar resources," the governor said, which will produce 70 MW of clean energy, which is enough to power more than 14,500 Arizona homes.

"This is a great day for Arizona, and we have moved rapidly to make this happen and take advantage of Apple's interest in our state," Gov. Ducey said. "Apple is by far one of the most innovative and successful companies in the world. Its decision to bring this new facility to Mesa is a huge win for Arizona and a high testament to our business-friendly climate and talented workforce."

In November 2013, Cupertino promised at least 700 new jobs at the Mesa facility, which was developed in partnership with GT Advanced Technologies, which produced sapphire screens. Apple provided GT with a $578 million pre-payment, which GT would pay back over five years.

But after Apple introduced its new iPhones without a sapphire screen, GT filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in October. Now, Apple will convert the empty floor plans into data storage.

"This expansion will bring a significant economic investment, and propel Arizona's position as one of the best states in the nation in which to do business," Ducey said. "I'm proud to continue our partnership with Apple with this new project."

"We're proud to continue investing in the U.S. with a new data center in Arizona, which will serve as a command center for our global networks," Apple said in a statement. "This multi-billion dollar project is one of the largest investments we've ever made, and when completed it will add over 600 engineering and construction jobs to the more than one million jobs Apple has already created in the U.S. Like all Apple data centers, it will be powered by 100 percent renewable energy, much of which will come from a new local solar farm."

AT&T, meanwhile, is selling its own data centers—worth about $2 billion. Anonymous sources told Reuters that the No. 2 U.S. wireless provider has recently been exploring ways to settle its debt and raise funds for future investments. AT&T declined to comment on the rumors.