Business · Energy & Commodities · 5 hrs ago
AI data centers turn to converted jet engines as grid power lags
AI data centers are turning to converted jet engines to generate their own electricity as grid connections and new power equipment face long delays.
The engines come from retired aircraft, are rebuilt to run on natural gas and can be operating much sooner than some grid connections.
In Northern Virginia, connecting 100 megawatts to the grid takes about seven years, while a data center using jet-engine units could be running in 24 months, according to an energy analyst cited in the story.
Elon Musk’s xAI has installed eight units in Mississippi to help power its Colossus 2 data center in Memphis.
OpenAI and data center builder Crusoe have also used or ordered converted turbines for a campus in Abilene, Texas.
The engines are less efficient and pollute more than turbines made for conventional gas plants, so they may be a short-term option.
Power delays have already affected business plans: Microsoft withdrew as the anchor customer for a data center in Loughton, England, after the utility said it could not supply enough electricity until the early to mid-2030s.
The story gives no specific next step, but says most new power capacity is expected to come online by 2031.
AI data centers are using converted jet engines to generate electricity while waiting years for grid connections and new turbines.
The engines are rebuilt to burn natural gas and can be operating faster than grid connections can be secured.
xAI installed eight converted jet-engine turbines in Mississippi to help power its Colossus 2 data center in Memphis.
The engines are less efficient and pollute more than turbines designed for conventional gas plants.
- Who
- Some AI data center operators, including xAI, are using converted jet engines to generate electricity.
- What
- Retired aircraft engines are rebuilt to burn natural gas and power data centers.
- When
- The article was published on November 3, 2026. It does not state when the practice began.
- Where
- The engines are being used at data center sites, including xAI’s facility in Mississippi, which helps power its Memphis data center.
- Why
- Operators face years-long waits for grid connections and new turbines, and converted engines can provide power sooner.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
OpenAI used gas turbines at its first Stargate site in Abilene, Texas.
Crusoe ordered 13 converted units from ProEnergy.
Crusoe walked away from a $1.25 billion deal to buy 29 natural gas turbines from Boom Supersonic.
Microsoft pulled out as the anchor customer for Nscale’s data center in Loughton, England, after the utility said it could not provide enough power until the early to mid-2030s.
- xAI turbines
- Eight converted jet-engine turbines installed in Mississippi
- Grid connection
- About seven years to connect 100 megawatts in Northern Virginia
- Crusoe order
- 13 converted units from ProEnergy
- Boom Supersonic deal
- $1.25 billion for 29 natural gas turbines
- ProEnergy engine
- Rebuilt GE engine commonly found on Boeing jets
What people are saying
It’s all about getting power as fast as possible
they can have a data center running in 24 months