xAI announces fourth data center; turbines to be removed from Southaven site
xAI announced its fourth data center will be built in White Haven, Memphis, Tennessee. Concurrently, SpaceXAI is preparing to remove 69 temporary turbines from its data center site in Southaven, Mississippi, replacing them with a permanent 41-turbine power plant. This move comes amid community concerns about noise and compliance issues regarding previously unpermitted gas turbines, with removal scheduled to start in August and conclude by July 2027.
Elon Musk confirmed on X that xAI is developing its fourth data center in White Haven, a community within Memphis, Tennessee. This new facility will be a smaller data center located off Two Lane Road, expanding xAI's presence in the Memphis area.
Simultaneously, SpaceXAI is undertaking a significant change at its Southaven, Mississippi data center. The company plans to remove all 69 existing temporary turbines from its Staton Row site and replace them with a permanent 1.2 Hawaii power plant featuring 41 turbines. This decision follows community feedback and concerns over noise and traffic. Southaven residents like Susan Broadway expressed relief at the impending removal, citing constant noise as an issue. Jay White also advocated for a healthier and quieter environment for the community.
The Southern Environmental Law Center, however, highlighted that xAI's claims of "rapidly removing its unpermitted gas turbines" contrast with the fact that the company had recently expanded, adding nine new turbines in July, bringing the total to 69. The removal process is slated to begin in August and is expected to conclude by July 2027. The report noted that failure to comply with strict rules regarding turbine removal, shutdown reports, and continuous monitoring could lead to legal trouble for the company.
The community remains vigilant, with residents stating they will be prepared for further engagement if necessary, indicating ongoing local interest and oversight of the project's environmental and operational impacts.