At a glance
- Data Center Dynamics reported the application was filed through affiliate Tombstone Resources LLC.
- SpaceXAI will pay for grid upgrades itself, at a cost of about $3.6 billion, including $500 million for the first phase, and says the timing of compute depends on those upgrades rather than construction.
- At 6GW, the load would equal about one-fifth of Arizona's 32GW net grid capacity in 2024, according to Energy Information Administration figures cited by Data Center Dynamics.
SpaceXAI has applied to Cochise County, Arizona, for a permit to build a data center campus on two parcels totaling 747 acres that the company says would draw 6GW of power at full build-out.
Data Center Dynamics reported the application was filed through affiliate Tombstone Resources LLC.
SpaceXAI will pay for grid upgrades itself, at a cost of about $3.6 billion, including $500 million for the first phase, and says the timing of compute depends on those upgrades rather than construction.
At 6GW, the load would equal about one-fifth of Arizona's 32GW net grid capacity in 2024, according to Energy Information Administration figures cited by Data Center Dynamics.
The site sits near the Willcox Playa, a dry lake 80 miles east of Tucson, on land currently owned by Arizona Electric Power Cooperative and Southline Transmission LLC. It would hold up to nine buildings of 493,000 sq ft each — about 4.4 million sq ft in total — brought online in four 1.5GW stages. Construction could begin in March 2027 if zoning is approved. A 24GWh battery storage system is planned to keep supply steady and avoid pulling on the state grid. The land adjoins AEPCO's Apache Generating Station, a 626MW plant running on coal, natural gas and solar.
A decision on the zoning request is due at the county's Dec. 9 meeting.
Reported by the Data centers & fiber desk from Data Center Dynamics. Published . Corrections