# AI data centers reportedly turn to converted jet engines for power

Digest AI · Enterprise & Industry · published 2026-11-03T22:19:53Z

Canonical: https://digestai.news/story/ai-data-centers-reportedly-turn-to-converted-jet-engines-for-power

## Summary

AI data centers are installing converted jet engines to generate electricity faster than waiting for grid connections, the New York Times reported. Retired aircraft engines rebuilt to burn natural gas can be operational in about 24 months, whereas hooking up 100 megawatts to the grid in Northern Virginia takes roughly seven years, according to the International Energy Agency.

Elon Musk’s xAI has installed eight of these turbines in Mississippi for its Colossus 2 data center, and Denver‑based Crusoe ordered 13 units for a new campus in Abilene, Texas, after walking away from a $1.25 billion deal with Boom Supersonic. Microsoft recently pulled out as the anchor customer for Nscale’s data center in England after the local utility said power wouldn’t be available until the early‑to‑mid 2030s. The Trump administration is encouraging data centers to generate their own electricity, but experts warn the converted engines are less efficient, pollute more, and could face tighter environmental scrutiny within a year or two.

## Key points

- AI data centers are installing converted jet engines to generate electricity faster than grid connections
- xAI installed eight engines in Mississippi; Crusoe ordered 13 units for Texas after abandoning a $1.25 billion turbine deal
- Experts say converted engines are less efficient, pollute more, and may face stricter environmental rules soon

## Why it matters

Quick power solutions keep AI compute expanding, but reliance on inefficient, polluting jet engines could raise costs and regulatory pressure, shaping future data‑center strategies.

## Sources

1. [Data centers are turning to old jet engines as the wait for power grows](https://techcrunch.com/2026/11/03/data-centers-are-turning-to-old-jet-engines-as-the-wait-for-power-grows) (TechCrunch AI, 2026-11-03)

## Cite

Digest AI, "AI data centers reportedly turn to converted jet engines for power", 3 November 2026, https://digestai.news/story/ai-data-centers-reportedly-turn-to-converted-jet-engines-for-power

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