SpaceX has announced plans to build its own natural gas-fired power plant to support a semiconductor factory it is developing in Texas. Phase 1 investment is expected to total approximately $16.8 billion, and battery storage facilities will also be built.
SpaceX, the US space company, has indicated that it plans to support the Terafab semiconductor manufacturing facility under development in Grimes County, Texas, with its own power generation capacity. The plan includes construction of a natural gas-fired power plant and large-scale battery storage facilities, with Phase 1 investment reported at $16.8 billion.
The project is expected to create approximately 3,000 new jobs and is set to receive a $30 million subsidy from the Texas Enterprise Fund. The facility, with total floor area of 100 million sq. ft. (approximately 929 hectares), is planned to be built in phases on a site of approximately 3,000 acres (approximately 1,214 hectares). SpaceX already controls more than 13,000 acres of land.
The company, led by CEO Musk, is also said to envisage Intel's participation and plans to produce two types of semiconductors at the facility. One type will be used in Tesla's humanoid robot Optimus and electric vehicles, while the other will be for space applications. The company has also indicated that demand for gas-fired power generation is expected to increase against a backdrop of rising electricity demand from data centers and new factories.