xAI repurposes 747 jet engines to power Memphis AI complex

From aircraft to AI infrastructure

Elon Musk’s xAI is utilizing retired Boeing 747 parts to keep its artificial intelligence supercomputers running. The company has deployed eight converted jet-engine power units at its plant in Southaven, Mississippi. These units are designed to supply the Colossus 2 data center complex located near Memphis, Tennessee.

The hardware originally served as General Electric CF6-80C2 engines, which were the primary workhorses for Boeing 747 aircraft. A company called ProEnergy took these retired turbines and rebuilt them for a new purpose. Instead of burning jet fuel to propel planes, the units now run on natural gas to generate electricity.

As reported by Crypto Briefing, the deployment was identified through an investigation using satellite imagery. The project highlights a growing trend where AI companies are forced to build their own electricity supplies. This shift is happening primarily because existing power grids are experiencing delays in meeting the massive energy needs of new data centers.

Powering the Colossus 2 complex

Each of the eight converted jet-engine units produces approximately 50 megawatts of power. When combined, these units provide a total generating capacity of roughly 400 megawatts. This massive amount of electricity is necessary to sustain the high-performance computing required for xAI's large-scale models.

The company is currently operating under the name SpaceXAI in connection with the Southaven site. Mississippi regulators officially issued the permits for these specific jet-engine units on March 11, 2026. These permits allow the company to begin feeding power directly into the Colossus 2 infrastructure.

The Colossus 2 complex sits at the center of xAI's efforts to scale its AI infrastructure in the Memphis region as quickly as possible. By using repurposed engines, the company can bypass some of the hurdles associated with traditional power plant construction. This setup provides a faster way to get the necessary wattage to their servers.

Environmental and legal hurdles

The permits issued by Mississippi regulators include specific allowances for emissions. The converted engines are permitted to emit double the carbon monoxide allowed for other turbines at the site. Additionally, they are allowed to release 25% more volatile organic compounds than the standard turbines.

These environmental permissions have already sparked significant pushback from local advocacy groups. The NAACP and the Southern Environmental Law Center have filed appeals to challenge the permits. These organizations are concerned about the impact of the increased emissions on the surrounding area.

This is not the first time xAI has faced legal scrutiny regarding its power sources in this region. The NAACP previously filed a Clean Air Act lawsuit over temporary turbines the company ran at the same location. A federal judge rejected xAI’s motion to dismiss that case on October 30, 2026, allowing the legal fight to continue.

The path to permanent power

The current installation of eight converted engines is intended as a bridge to a larger, more permanent energy solution. xAI has historically relied on dozens of temporary mobile turbines to keep its operations running. The company now plans to phase out these temporary units in favor of a dedicated facility.

xAI is currently preparing to build a permanent natural gas plant with a total capacity of 1.2 gigawatts. This future plant is expected to run on 41 turbines to provide a steady stream of electricity. The current eight jet-engine units represent about one-third of that planned permanent capacity.

If the repurposed engines deliver their full rated output, they will serve as a significant interim power source. This transition shows the company's long-term strategy to move from makeshift solutions to heavy industrial infrastructure. It reflects the broader industry move toward securing dedicated, high-capacity power for AI training.