xAI to build solar farm near Colossus data center amid pollution concerns

xAI, Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence startup, has outlined plans to build a solar farm next to its Colossus data center in Memphis, one of the world’s largest AI training facilities. The project was presented to local planners last week and would cover 88 acres beside the data center, with the land sitting within a 136-acre property controlled by the site’s developer. Based on its proposed footprint, the solar installation is expected to generate around 30 megawatts of power, which amounts to roughly 10% of the data center’s estimated energy use .

The proposal comes as xAI faces growing criticism for its reliance on natural gas turbines to supply the center. The Southern Environmental Law Center, working with the NAACP, has accused the company of operating more than 400 megawatts of turbines without proper permits. According to the group, at least 35 of the turbines could emit over 2,000 tons of nitrogen oxide each year, a pollutant linked to smog and respiratory issues.

Residents of nearby Boxtown, a predominantly Black neighborhood, have voiced strong opposition, reporting increased asthma attacks and other health problems. Researchers from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, found that nitrogen dioxide concentrations rose by 79% around the facility after xAI began operating the turbines. Despite the concerns, local officials have granted the company permission to run 15 turbines through January 2027 while it seeks additional power sources.

In September, xAI announced a separate plan to build a 100-megawatt solar farm paired with 100 megawatts of battery storage to provide continuous power. The developer, Seven States Power Corporation, received $439 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for the project, including a $414 million interest-free loan. The federal support is notable as many clean energy programs have been canceled under the Trump administration.

While pursuing renewable options, the company has also added gas turbines in Mississippi to support its Colossus 2 data center. Regulators currently track only some of the emissions, as xAI considers 18 of the 59 turbines on-site to be temporary.