Environmental campaigners say Elon Musk’s xAI could build a 1.56GW natural gas power plant for its new Memphis data center.
A report apparently produced for xAI by Trinity Consultants and obtained by environmental advocacy group the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) outlines a plan to install between 40-90 gas turbines at the data center site, on Tulane Road in the Whitehaven area of Memphis.
xAI said it has no plans to install turbines at Tulane Road.
Earlier this week, an update from local utility company Memphis, Light, Gas and Water (MLGW) said xAI had yet to submit a power request for the site, but that it had explored a range of grid options for the data center, anticipating energy requirements of up to 1.1GW.
The report says that the power plant would operate two types of turbine produced by vendor Solar Turbines - the PGM-130 and Solar Titan 350. It is dated March 2025, and it is unclear whether it represents xAI’s current plan for the site.
Though natural gas is less polluting than other fossil fuels, emissions from turbines still carry a significant carbon footprint and can negatively impact air quality.
“xAI appears to be preparing for a truly staggering number of polluting turbines for its second South Memphis data center, all while continuing to run unpermitted turbines nearby,” said Amanda Garcia, a senior attorney at SELC.
“Memphians have repeatedly told local leaders they have serious concerns about how these data centers and their use of gas turbines will impact the air they breathe every day.”
xAI’s presence in Memphis has been a topic of much debate in the city since it opened its first data center, which houses the company’s Colossus supercomputer, at a former Electrolux factory on Paul Lowry Road, last year.
While local business leaders have welcomed the company’s presence and the boost it has brought to the Memphis economy, community groups have raised concerns about its impact on power and water availability, as well as air quality.
The company has been relying on gas turbines to run its Colossus data center, with up to 35 turbines present on the site, generating 422MW of power. Last month, it was claimed some of these were operating without permits and in violation of the Clean Air Act.
Earlier this week DCD reported that some of the turbines were being removed after work on a new electricity substation to power the site was completed. xAI has pledged to relegate the generators to a backup power source only when a second substation comes online later this year.
A statement issued on behalf of xAI through the Memphis Chamber of Commerce said: “xAI is demobilizing turbines in Shelby County and has no plans to site any turbines at its Tulane location. The company continues to evaluate various power solutions for its Memphis facilities while working within all applicable regulatory frameworks.”
