Apple has announced that it will power all of its operations in Singapore from solar energy, the first company in the city-state to do so. The scheme will also provide electricity to around 9,000 public-owned homes.

CNET reports that Apple is partnering with local clean energy provide Sunseap.

Retail head Angela Ahrendts also confirmed to The Strait Times earlier reports that it is opening its first Apple Store in Singapore, with hiring underway …

The Cupertino consumer electronics giant has partnered with Singapore’s largest clean energy provider, Sunseap Group, who will provide power to Apple’s 2,500-person corporate campus and retail store. Energy will be obtained from solar panels laid on the rooftops of 800 buildings.

While the company has not yet officially announced a location for the store, an earlier report suggests that it will be in the upmarket retail area on Orchard Road (shown above). Apple currently sells products only via third-party resellers on the island, though Singapore is usually one of the earliest markets to see new products.

We have more than 900 incredible employees working in our Singapore contact centre and are thrilled to begin hiring the team that will open our first Apple Store in Singapore.

Apple last month announced that it is powering 100 percent of its operations in the United States and China with clean energy, and 87 percent of its worldwide operations. It is currently working on helping its suppliers in China become carbon neutral.