Musk’s xAI to build small solar farm adjacent to Colossus data center

Elon Musk's artificial intelligence venture, xAI, has announced plans to construct a solar farm adjacent to its Colossus data center in Memphis, one of the largest facilities globally dedicated to AI model training. This solar installation is set to cover 88 acres to the west and south of the data center, which is bordered by a 136-acre vacant lot owned by the same developer. The proposed solar farm is estimated to generate approximately 30 megawatts of electricity, which accounts for about 10% of the data center’s total energy consumption. Despite this move towards renewable energy, xAI has faced criticism for its operation of over 400 megawatts of natural gas turbines without the necessary permits, as highlighted by the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC). The SELC, working alongside the NAACP, has reported that xAI has been operating at least 35 turbines that collectively emit over 2,000 tons of nitrogen oxides (NOx) annually, contributing to pollution and health issues in the surrounding area. Residents from the nearby Boxtown community, predominantly Black, have expressed strong opposition to the turbines, with studies showing a 79% increase in peak nitrogen dioxide levels since the data center's operations began. Activists have also noted a rise in asthma cases and respiratory problems among locals since the facility opened. In response to the power needs, xAI has committed to utilizing the turbines until sufficient renewable energy sources can be secured. Local authorities have granted xAI permission to operate 15 turbines until January 2027. In a recent development, the company announced plans for a larger 100-megawatt solar farm, which will include an equal capacity of grid-scale batteries to ensure a continuous power supply. The specific financial details of this ambitious project have not been revealed; however, the developer, Seven States Power Company, has been awarded $439 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, with $414 million of that amount being an interest-free loan. This federal funding is significant, particularly as many clean energy initiatives faced cancellations during the previous administration. Meanwhile, xAI has also expanded its energy sources by adding gas turbines in Mississippi to support its Colossus 2 data center, with 59 turbines currently in place, of which 18 are deemed temporary and thus not monitored for emissions.