Wärtsilä will deliver 27 engines to provide continuous primary power for a new data centre under construction in the US.
The facility will be powered exclusively by Wärtsilä 50SG gas engines, selected for their ability to deliver full rated output in ambient temperatures exceeding 100°F (37.8°C). The engines offer high fuel efficiency and are engineered for future conversion to sustainable fuels, supporting the operator’s long-term environmental objectives.
The power plant will operate independently of the local transmission grid, addressing capacity constraints and stability challenges that increasingly affect large-scale data centre developments across various U.S. regions. On-site generation enables faster project execution compared to major transmission upgrades.
A modular design allows individual engines to undergo maintenance without affecting overall power supply to the data centre. The system’s rapid start-up and load-following characteristics are optimised for the variable demand profiles typical of digital infrastructure, while the layout facilitates straightforward capacity expansion as the facility grows.
Wärtsilä Energy president Anders Lindberg said the company’s off-grid and near-grid solutions are aimed at avoiding lengthy grid connection delays while providing resilient power in demanding conditions.
The installation requires lower fuel and water consumption than certain alternative generation technologies, an advantage in locations with constrained resources. Once commissioned, the plant will ensure continuous, high-availability electricity essential for uninterrupted data centre operations.
The contract underscores the expanding role of flexible, high-efficiency gas generation in meeting the power needs of hyperscale computing facilities, particularly where grid infrastructure cannot immediately accommodate rapid load growth.
