SpaceX plans $24 billion AI supercomputer and gas plant in Starbase, Texas
SpaceX has proposed a $24 billion AI supercomputer and gas-fired power plant on 444 acres near Brownsville, Texas, with a public hearing scheduled for December 9.
The proposed facility would include infrastructure for up to 35 temporary gas turbines, delivering an initial output of approximately 748 MW. Construction activity at the site already includes applications for mass grading and air-quality permits.
SpaceX's job postings reference the "Starbase supercomputer" and its on-site power generation model, indicating a growing internal focus on large-scale AI infrastructure. The company merged with xAI in February 2026 and has been expanding its AI computing capabilities since.
Power and Politics
The on-site generation model gives SpaceX more control over its power supply but also puts emissions and air quality at the center of the approval process. The December 9 hearing will focus on tax abatements and economic development agreements.
The proposal lands amid a shift in Texas politics. Newly elected Texas governor Gina Hinojosa has called for a pause on new data center approvals, raising open questions about whether the Starbase supercomputer could face regulatory hurdles down the line.
Broader Strategy
SpaceX is targeting total AI compute capacity of roughly 13 GW by the end of 2027. The Starbase site's initial 748 MW output represents a significant portion of this goal but remains only a slice of the overall plan.
Before this project emerged, SpaceX secured a $40 billion GPU financing deal with Apollo. For residents near the Port of Brownsville, the 444-acre industrial site with up to 35 gas turbines represents a substantial new development, with the public hearing serving as their formal opportunity to comment.
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