SpaceX has announced that it will not remove the unpermitted turbines powering its xAI data centers near Memphis for another year. The company plans to transition to a permanent, 1.2 gigawatt natural gas power plant by 2027, but the existing turbines will remain in operation.

Currently, 69 gas turbines are being used to power the Colossus data centers, many of which have been operating for months without proper permits. The NAACP and Southern Environmental Law Center have filed a lawsuit over this issue, arguing that the unpermitted turbines violate federal regulations due to their size and usage.

Federal regulations require that these types of turbines obtain permits despite being on trailers. SpaceX claims they are exempt because they remain on the shipping trailers. The Department of Justice has supported SpaceX in this legal battle, citing national security concerns.

The new power plant will consist of 41 gas turbines ranging from 16.48 megawatts to 50 megawatts, according to permit documents issued by the state of Mississippi. However, it is unclear if these turbines are identical to those currently in use or related to APR Energy's fleet.