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<h2>Crusoe Ends Partnership with Boom Supersonic Amid Strategic Shift</h2>
<p id="speakable-summary" class="wp-block-paragraph">Denver-based AI data center startup Crusoe, which recently <a target="_blank" href="https://techcrunch.com/2026/09/17/crusoe-raises-3-9b-to-build-massive-data-centers-and-small-modular-ai-factories/">secured $3.9 billion</a>, has discontinued plans to utilize a new line of stationary power plants developed by fellow Denver company Boom Supersonic.</p>
<h3>From Bitcoin Mining to AI Data Centers</h3>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Founded in 2018, Crusoe initially focused on bitcoin mining using excess natural gas from oil fields. It has rapidly evolved into one of the <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/the-startup-that-built-openais-biggest-data-center-is-now-making-tiny-ones-71f36a4f">leading builders of AI data centers</a>, including a significant campus in Abilene, Texas, designated for providing computing power to OpenAI.</p>
<h3>Boom Supersonic's Ambitious Venture</h3>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Boom Supersonic is working on a supersonic passenger jet named Overture and launched a new venture last year to sell a variant of the aircraft's engine as natural gas-fired stationary power plants. Their Superpower turbine shares around 80% of its components with the jet's engine, named Symphony.</p>
<h3>The Discontinuation of the Partnership</h3>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Crusoe had initially committed to being the first customer for Boom’s new power plant business, agreeing to purchase 29 of Boom’s 42-megawatt Superpower turbines for $1.25 billion, with deliveries expected to commence in 2027. However, this agreement has since been dissolved, as confirmed by Boom Supersonic's CEO Blake Scholl.</p>
<h3>Future Directions for Boom and Crusoe</h3>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">In a recent <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://x.com/bscholl/status/2103614826862010443">post on X</a>, Scholl congratulated Crusoe’s founders on their recent financing but stated that the turbine launch partnership would not proceed. He added that Boom would continue to deliver approximately 250MW of Superpowers to other clients next year, with aspirations for 1GW by 2028.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" height="548" width="680" src="https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/blake-scholl-post.png?w=680" alt="" class="wp-image-3170141" srcset="https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/blake-scholl-post.png 1194w, https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/blake-scholl-post.png?resize=150,121 150w, https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/blake-scholl-post.png?resize=300,242 300w, https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/blake-scholl-post.png?resize=768,619 768w, https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/blake-scholl-post.png?resize=680,548 680w, https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/blake-scholl-post.png?resize=430,346 430w, https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/blake-scholl-post.png?resize=720,580 720w, https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/blake-scholl-post.png?resize=900,725 900w, https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/blake-scholl-post.png?resize=800,645 800w, https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/blake-scholl-post.png?resize=668,538 668w, https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/blake-scholl-post.png?resize=465,375 465w, https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/blake-scholl-post.png?resize=766,617 766w, https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/blake-scholl-post.png?resize=659,531 659w, https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/blake-scholl-post.png?resize=50,40 50w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><span class="wp-block-image__credits"><strong>Image Credits:</strong>Screenshot/X /</span></figcaption></figure>
<h3>Crusoe's Commitment to Flexible Energy Solutions</h3>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Crusoe confirmed to TechCrunch that it is no longer pursuing a partnership with Boom. “We build AI factories from the power up and are expanding our campuses nationwide with innovative energy solutions,” stated spokesperson Andrew Schmitt. “As our portfolio grows, we remain flexible in our energy choices—factoring in turbines, wind, solar, batteries, and grid options—adapting to the evolving needs of each site.” Schmitt wished Boom well despite the partnership no longer being a good fit.</p>
<h3>Impact on Boom Supersonic</h3>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Losing its <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://boomsupersonic.com/press-release/boom-supersonic-to-power-ai-data-centers">launch customer</a> is a significant setback for Boom, which <a target="_blank" href="https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/09/boom-supersonic-raises-300m-to-build-natural-gas-turbines-for-crusoe-data-centers/">raised $300 million</a> last year aimed at commercializing its new power plant business. The revenue from this venture was intended to support the development of the Overture jet.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Scholl was unavailable for comment prior to publication; TechCrunch will update this article if he responds.</p>
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Here are five FAQs regarding Crusoe’s decision to abandon its $1.25 billion plan to use Boom turbines at AI data centers:
FAQ 1: What prompted Crusoe to abandon the $1.25 billion plan for Boom turbines?
Answer: Crusoe decided to abandon its plan primarily due to shifting market conditions and uncertainties around the continued viability of the technologies involved, as well as the overall economic landscape impacting funding and investment in renewable energy initiatives.
FAQ 2: What are Boom turbines, and why were they chosen for the data centers?
Answer: Boom turbines are advanced energy generation systems designed for efficiency and lower environmental impact. They were chosen for Crusoe’s data centers to reduce reliance on traditional power sources and improve sustainability in AI operations.
FAQ 3: What are the implications of this decision for Crusoe’s business model?
Answer: Abandoning the plan may lead Crusoe to reconsider its approach to energy sourcing and infrastructure for data centers, potentially pivoting to other technologies or partners. It may also affect long-term strategic goals related to sustainability and operational efficiency.
FAQ 4: How will this impact Crusoe’s AI data center operations?
Answer: While the abandonment of the Boom turbine plan may present challenges in optimizing energy costs and environmental impact, Crusoe will likely seek alternative solutions to maintain the competitiveness and sustainability of its AI data center operations.
FAQ 5: What are the next steps for Crusoe following this decision?
Answer: Following this decision, Crusoe is expected to conduct a thorough review of its energy strategies and explore other renewable energy sources or technologies that can be integrated into its data center operations to ensure efficiency and sustainability.