Repurposed Aircraft Engines Provide Bridge Power for Data Centers Amid Supply Crunch

Jet Engines Find Second Life Powering Data Centers

Amid growing power demands and equipment shortages, data center operators are turning to an unconventional solution: repurposed aircraft engines. According to reports, US energy solutions provider ProEnergy is converting retired jet engines into mobile gas turbines that can provide temporary power for data centers during construction and early operation phases.

Jet Engines Find Second Life Powering Data Centers
Bridging the Power Gap
Engineering Conversion Process
Addressing Supply Chain Constraints
Growing Trend in Off-Grid Power Solutions

Bridging the Power Gap

Sources indicate that two data center operators are currently using ProEnergy’s repurposed gas turbines, with the company having sold 21 units totaling more than 1GW of capacity. Landon Tessmer, VP of commercial operations at ProEnergy, stated that these projects are expected to provide “bridging power for five to seven years, which is when they expect to have grid interconnection and no longer need permanent behind-the-meter generation.”

The report suggests that after serving as primary power sources, the turbines can be repurposed for backup power, sold to local utilities, or used to supplement the grid. This extended lifecycle approach means the units continue providing value even after data centers secure permanent grid connections.

Engineering Conversion Process

Analysts suggest the conversion process involves significant modifications to make jet engines suitable for power generation. The PE6000 gas turbines are created by retrofitting old CF6-80C2 jet engine cores and matching them with newly manufactured aero-derivative parts. Key modifications include expanding the turbine section to convert engine thrust into shaft power, adding structural supports for mounting on concrete decks or steel frames, and installing new control systems.

Following assembly, each converted engine can supply 48MW of capacity. ProEnergy offers these turbines in standardized two-turbine power blocks that include generators and supporting systems such as air cooling units, emissions reduction technology, and various electrical components.

Addressing Supply Chain Constraints

The decision to repurpose jet engines comes as the gas turbine market faces significant constraints. Tessmer explained that wait times for traditional turbines are beginning to approach those for grid-based power, with only three companies—GE Vernova, Siemens, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries—producing the majority of the world’s turbines. Due to massive demand from the AI data center sector, delivery backlogs are reportedly stretching beyond 2029.

By comparison, Tessmer claims that “a PE6000 from ProEnergy can be delivered in 2027.” The company focuses exclusively on the CF6-80C2 engine, which powers several commercial aircraft including the Boeing 747-400, 767, and MD-11, as well as the Airbus A300 and A310. Approximately 1,000 of these aircraft engines are expected to be retired over the next decade, creating a substantial supply for repurposing.

Growing Trend in Off-Grid Power Solutions

The data center industry is increasingly exploring off-grid natural gas solutions to meet power demands. According to industry reports, this trend includes recent significant orders from other companies, such as AI data center developer Crusoe ordering up to 1GW of GE Vernova natural gas turbines in July, and Siemens signing a letter of intent to supply Fermi America with up to 1.1GW of natural gas generating capacity for a massive Texas data center campus.

ProEnergy, based in Sedalia, Missouri, provides various third-party services to energy and manufacturing companies, covering construction, management, operations, maintenance, and repair of power generation facilities. The company’s innovative approach to turbine repurposing represents one of several emerging solutions addressing the critical power needs of modern data centers.

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