Economy: SpaceX wants to build its own gas plant to power AI

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To power its servers, the company is planning up to 35 temporary turbines, capable of providing around 748 megawatts!

The project is located near the Port of Brownsville, within the boundaries of Starbase. SpaceX plans to build, own and operate both facilities on the same site. The $24 billion envelope covers the first phases of the project, with the possibility of expanding the complex later.

Electricity production occupies a central place in the file. For the initial phase, SpaceX is considering up to 35 natural gas turbines, installed on a temporary basis. Together they would provide approximately 748 megawatts of power. By producing its electricity on site, the company seeks to reduce its dependence on the local network to operate its computing equipment.

This approach is reminiscent of xAI, which SpaceX acquired in February 2026. The artificial intelligence company has already used gas turbines to power its Colossus computing center in the Memphis area. At Starbase, the project is in the proposal stage. The Dec. 9 hearing focuses on tax benefits and economic development agreements being considered by the city.

For a data center dedicated to AI, the question is having sufficient power at the time of commissioning. A connection to the network may require work on electrical lines and substations. By planning a power plant on the same land as its servers, SpaceX seeks to reduce its dependence on this work and its schedule.

Producing on site, however, creates other constraints. It is necessary to ensure the gas supply, maintain the turbines and obtain the necessary authorizations for their operation. At Starbase, the announced 748 megawatts correspond to the planned initial production capacity, with temporary turbines. The project provides for the possibility of expanding the site, but this first capacity does not describe the needs of the complex in the long term.

At Starbase, the choice of gas thus links two industrial calendars: that of the computing center and that of its power plant. The commissioning of the servers also depends on SpaceX's ability to produce the necessary electricity on site. The race for energy is on more than ever among the data giants.

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Machine-translated from French