Tech companies turn to used aircraft engines to power data centers

American technology companies have begun using old aircraft engines to generate electricity for AI data centers, due to rising energy demand and delays in delivery of new turbines. The idea involves rehabilitating retired jet engines and converting them into stationary gas turbines.

American technology companies have begun using old aircraft engines to generate the electricity needed to power AI data centers, amid rising energy demand, delays in delivery of new generation equipment, and difficulty connecting some facilities to electrical grids. The idea involves rehabilitating retired jet engines and converting them into stationary gas turbines capable of producing electricity to run servers, processors, and cooling systems. According to a report published by Reuters, the sharp increase in electricity demand has pushed data center developers and energy companies to seek used or refurbished turbines instead of waiting for new equipment, which may take years to deliver. Industry estimates indicate that global orders for gas turbines have exceeded 100 gigawatts, while manufacturers' annual production capacity ranges between 60 and 70 gigawatts, leading to longer wait times and increased interest in used equipment. In the United States, the average wait for delivery of some new gas turbines is about six years, while delivery dates for some orders extend to 2030 and 2031. This makes the reuse of aircraft engines one of the options companies are turning to in order to secure electricity within a shorter timeframe.