Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence startup xAI is set to build an 88-acre solar farm adjacent to its Colossus data center in Memphis, according to recent disclosures to city and county planners. The facility, a global leader in AI model training, requires immense power, with the new solar farm estimated to produce roughly 30 megawatts—around 10% of the center’s needs.
The solar project will be located to the west and south of the Colossus site, bordered by a 136-acre vacant lot owned by the same developer. This move aims to partially offset the data center’s extensive energy demands, though most of the power will still come from other sources due to the facility’s massive consumption requirements.
xAI has faced criticism for operating over 400 megawatts of natural gas turbines without proper permits. Environmental groups, including the Southern Environmental Law Center and NAACP, highlight concerns about nitrogen oxide emissions from these turbines, which contribute to smog and respiratory health issues in nearby predominantly Black communities such as Boxtown.
Research from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, links rising nitrogen dioxide levels to xAI’s operations, with local residents reporting increased asthma attacks and respiratory problems since the data center began operating. Despite this, xAI has obtained permits to run 15 turbines until January 2027 while transitioning to cleaner energy alternatives.
In addition to the 88-acre solar farm, xAI announced in September a larger 100-megawatt solar project accompanied by 100 megawatts of grid-scale battery storage. This ambitious plan aims to provide renewable power around the clock, marking a significant step toward green energy integration in AI infrastructure.
The developer for the larger solar farm, Seven States Power Corporation, received $439 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, including a $414 million interest-free loan. This federal support highlights growing governmental interest in sustainable power solutions for expanding technological facilities.
The Colossus data center, operational since mid-2024, houses around 200,000 Nvidia Hopper GPUs and consumes roughly 300 megawatts of power. xAI is also expanding capabilities, with plans to increase computing power significantly, which will drive even greater energy needs and further urgency for sustainable energy projects.
xAI’s reliance on natural gas turbines and the community health impact have drawn strong public opposition and legal scrutiny. Activists urge the company and authorities to prioritize pollution reduction and complete the transition to renewable power sources swiftly to protect local health and environment.
This solar farm initiative reflects an industry-wide challenge: balancing the rapid growth of AI and data centers with environmental responsibility. xAI and similar companies face mounting pressure to innovate not only in technology but also in sustainable operations, as energy consumption and environmental impacts become critical public concerns.
