SpaceX disclosed on Thursday that it intends to invest over $74 billion to build two AI supercomputing campuses, one on its 444‑acre Starbase property in Texas and another on a 747‑acre parcel in Cochise County, Arizona. The company said the Texas campus will receive more than $24 billion, while the Arizona site is slated for roughly $50 billion. The figures represent planned spending; construction has begun on site grading, but neither the data centers nor the associated power plants are operational.

Project scope and job outlook

SpaceX estimates the Texas campus will eventually need six gigawatts of electricity and will be powered by a self‑contained gas plant, while the Arizona campus could require up to six gigawatts as well and will rely on dry‑cooling technology that avoids groundwater use. The company claims the Texas effort has already generated more than 3,000 jobs, though that number is unverified, and expects over 500 permanent roles once the facility is running. In Arizona, SpaceX projects 5,500 construction jobs and 1,000 permanent positions.

Regulatory hurdles and community response

Both campuses are awaiting final approvals. In Texas, the Starbase City Commission will hold a public hearing on Dec. 9 to discuss a property‑tax exemption request, but the hearing will not decide the project's ultimate approval. In Arizona, Cochise County officials have yet to grant a permit, and a petition with 2,400 signatures urges the county to reject the development. Local officials have emphasized concerns about water resources, energy consumption, and responsible growth.

SpaceX’s filing shows its third‑quarter Super Intelligence revenue at $7.56 billion, representing 51.9% of its total $14.575 billion revenue. Separately, the company announced a roughly $40 billion lease‑financing agreement for AI GPUs, covering computing equipment rather than the campuses themselves. Industry forecasts from Gartner and PwC suggest AI‑related data‑center spending could approach $2.4 trillion in 2027, underscoring the scale of the market SpaceX aims to enter.

What to watch next

Key upcoming events include the Dec. 9 public hearings in Texas and Arizona, the outcome of permitting processes, and any updates on power‑plant construction. Observers will also monitor SpaceX’s ability to secure the estimated six‑gigawatt power supply for each campus, a factor that analysts say could determine whether the $74 billion plan materializes.

FAQ

What is the estimated power requirement for the planned campuses?