In the age of artificial intelligence and hyper-scale computing, some of the world’s largest data centres are turning to an unexpected power source: old airplane engines. The move reflects the extreme energy demands of today’s data centres and the bottlenecks in traditional power-generation infrastructure. This article explores how and why this shift is happening, what it means for the industry, and what the major implications are.
Why are data centres using old airplane engines?
Several interlocking factors are driving data centres to deploy repurposed aviation-engine based turbines:
- The growth of AI, cloud computing and large data centres has pushed electricity demand to unprecedented levels. Some facilities need tens or even hundreds of megawatts just to keep servers running.
- Traditional options—such as connecting to the electrical grid or building large new gas-turbine power plants—are facing long lead times. For example, ordering a conventional heavy-frame gas turbine may come with a 3-5 year wait due to supply chain/backlog issues.
- To bridge the power supply gap, companies like ProEnergy are refurbishing retired jet-engine cores (e.g., the CF6‑80C2) and converting them into ground-based generators capable of supplying ~48 megawatts each.
- These “aeroderivative” turbines offer fast startup, modularity, and enough capacity to support a large data centre during construction or until grid power becomes available. For example, a data centre may use them as temporary/bridging power, then later use them as backup or sell their output to the local grid.
What exactly is being used and how does it work?
- The CF6-80C2 engine core, originally used on aircraft like the Boeing 747‑400 and Airbus A300, is being taken from retired aircraft.
- These cores are refurbished and paired with newly manufactured aero-derivative parts. The system is mounted on a frame or even a trailer, fitted with the necessary generator, controls, fuel systems (natural gas rather than aviation fuel), emissions controls and other supporting infrastructure.
- Each unit can generate around 48 MW of power—a quantity large enough to power a data centre or a mid-sized town.
- Because grid connection or new turbine delivery can take years, these systems act as “bridging capacity” behind the meter—i.e., they supply the facility directly until permanent grid solutions are in place.
Why this matters for data-centres and energy infrastructure
- Speed & scalability: For data-centres that cannot wait years for grid or infrastructure upgrades, this provides a rapid deployment option.
- Energy security: It gives operators control over power supply while they complete grid interconnection or construction of permanent generation.
- Cost and availability pressures: The shortage of new gas turbines and grid delays means creative solutions are required. As noted, “there just aren’t enough gas turbines to go around”.
- Environmental and regulatory implications: While these engines are being repurposed rather than brand-new builds, they still burn natural gas and produce emissions (though some are reported to have low NOx levels in certain configurations).
- Market signal: This is a clear indication that the AI/data-centre boom is creating ripple-effects all the way into the power-generation sector, logistics, supply chains and regulatory frameworks.
What are the risks & challenges?
- Emissions & local impact: These turbines, although designed to be efficient, still burn fossil fuel. Neighbourhoods and authorities may raise concerns about noise, pollution, and local grid impact. PCWorld
- Sustainability questions: Using jet engines as generators is clever, but it may be a stop-gap rather than a long-term sustainable solution.
- Fuel supply and logistics: Even if the engine is available, it must be connected to fuel (natural gas) and infrastructure, which may also be constrained.
- Grid integration complexity: Once grid power is available, what happens to these turbines? Repurposing them, transport, sale or backup use adds complexity and cost.
- Public perception & regulation: Communities and policymakers might view this as “data centres burning jets” which could lead to regulatory scrutiny.
Implications for the future of data-centres
- We may see more modular, fast-deploy generation units (including repurposed engines) as data centres continue to expand at pace, especially for AI workloads.
- Operators may build dual-strategies: interim power via such turbines + long-term through renewable or grid upgrades.
- The conversation about energy infrastructure for data centres will become more prominent: placement of data centres, regulatory approvals for on-site generation, emissions, community impact.
- Regions with grid or turbine supply constraints may increasingly rely on these “behind the meter” solutions, possibly changing the economics and geography of where data centres are built.
Conclusion
The use of old airplane engines by data centres is more than a quirky headline—it’s a real indicator of how urgent power needs for AI infrastructure are reshaping energy solutions. By repurposing retired aviation engines to supply tens of megawatts of power, data centre operators circumvent long delays in grid connections and turbine orders. That said, this solution comes with trade-offs: fuel, emissions, logistics and the question of long-term sustainability remain central.
As the focus keyword data centres old airplane engines shows, this trend may be a vital part of the story about how large-scale computing infrastructure will be powered in the coming years. Whether this becomes a mainstream solution or a niche bridging strategy remains to be seen—but it’s certainly a major shift in how data centres think about power.
