Colossus — Memphis

AI dedicated

Operated by xAI · Memphis, TN, US1 srcupdated 1d ago

xAI's primary training cluster, originally 100k H100s, expanding toward 1M GPUs. Powered partly by on-site gas turbines.

Compared to peers

Compared with 117 peer facilities in US.

Capacity (MW)
1,2505×+ above median
median 32 · p95 1,560
Supplier coverage
8no peers
median 0 · p75 0
Announce → online lag
in progress
no completions yet

Bands describe deviation from peer median; not a judgment.

Ownership chain (xAI)

Ownership opacity: 38 / 100 — modest3 layers traced
  1. L0 (entity)xAIcorporationUS
  2. L1X CorpcorporationUSsrc ↗
  3. L2 (top)xAI Holdings CorpcorporationUSsrc ↗

UBO disclosed: Elon Musk

Opacity score combines jurisdiction secrecy and chain depth (≥3 layers = +10, ≥4 = +20). Descriptive only — high opacity warrants review, not accusation.

Public subsidies & incentives

Total disclosed
$160.0M
Claimed jobs
600
$/job claimed
$267k
  • Memphis-Shelby County EDGE — PILOTUS-TN · tax-abatement
    $80.0M
    announced 2024.7.22 · 15y term · 300 jobs claimed
  • Memphis-Shelby County (community benefit fund, NOT a PILOT)US-TN · other
    $80.0M
    announced 2024.7.22 · 300 jobs claimed

Permits

  • grid interconnectTVA / MLGW
    granted
    applied 2024.5.01 · issued 2024.8.15 · 106d lag
  • environmentalShelby County Health Department / TDEC
    pending
    applied 2024.11.21 ·
  • environmentalShelby County Health Department - Pollution Control
    granted
    applied 2025.1.08 · issued 2025.7.02 · 175d lag
  • waterMLGW / Sand Aquifer permit
    pending
    applied 2025.2.19 ·
  • zoningMemphis & Shelby County OPD
    granted
    issued 2024.6.05
  • environmentalShelby County Health Department (operating without permit June 2024 - July 2025)
    pending
  • zoningSite pre-zoned heavy-industrial; EDGE board approved 522-acre lease (no new zoning permit)
    granted
  • waterTDEC (xAI water recycling plant operating permit)
    granted
Status
operational
Current capacity
250 MW
Planned capacity
1000 MW
Power source
gas
Cooling
direct-to-chip
Water draw
—
PUE
—
Capex
$18.0B

Location

City
Memphis
Region
TN
Country
US
Coordinates
35.0726, -90.0186
View on OpenStreetMap →

Timeline

Announced
—
Groundbreak
—
Online
—
Full capacity
—

Power

Primary source
gas
Utility
Tennessee Valley Authority
PUE pledged
—

Suppliers (8)

  • Tesla1 src
    backup-power · Megapack BESS for Colossus 2
  • VoltaGrid1 src
    backup-power · Mobile natural gas generators
  • Solaris Energy Infrastructure1 src
    backup-power · On-site mobile gas turbines (~150MW)
  • Memphis Light, Gas and Water1 src
    electrical · Memphis local distribution utility · local
  • Mortenson1 src
    gc · Construction services / data hall buildout
  • NVIDIA2 src
    hardware · 100k H100 → expanding to 200k+ H200/GB200
  • Dell Technologies1 src
    hardware · Server systems for Colossus expansion
  • Super Micro Computer1 src
    hardware · Liquid-cooled GPU server systems

Sources (1)

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