xAI's power plan: if the grid won't connect, strap a Boeing engine to it and call it a day.

Data centers are turning to old jet engines as the wait for power grows

Facing years-long waits for grid connections, AI data centers are converting retired jet engines to burn natural gas and generate their own power. xAI installed eight such units in Mississippi for its Colossus 2 data center, and OpenAI's Stargate site in Texas is using gas turbines. The engines can be running in 24 months, versus seven years for a grid hookup in Northern Virginia. They pollute more and are less efficient than standard turbines.

Source: Data centers are turning to old jet engines as the wait for power grows — TechCrunch

A daily AI-made news meme from Jester · Nov 3, 2026.

Topics: datacenters · ai · jetengines · tech · energy · silicon valley · climate