Analysis-AI power rush sends data centres hunting for used turbines and jet engines
The global scramble to provide electricity for artificial intelligence data centers has forced utility providers and developers to look for unconventional hardware solutions. Because the waiting period for brand-new power equipment now stretches into the next decade, these organizations are searching across the globe for used gas turbines. This urgent search includes the restoration of mothballed machinery and the conversion of retired jet engines to meet the immediate energy requirements of the technology sector.
Long Lead Times for New Equipment
The massive backlog for essential infrastructure has become a primary obstacle for the industry. Aurora Tenorio, a senior analyst at the energy consultancy Wood Mackenzie, highlighted the severity of the delay in the United States turbine market. Tenorio observed that delivery conversations are firmly focused on the 2030 to 2031 window, meaning that companies placing orders today might not see their equipment delivered for several years. This extended timeline is forcing firms to find faster ways to generate power as they race to expand their AI capabilities.
In response to these delays, a variety of industry participants, including brokers, suppliers
Source: miamiherald.com · 2026-11-09