Data center developers are facing significant challenges in securing reliable power as they expand their facilities to harness the potential of generative AI. Traditional methods, such as connecting to the electrical grid or constructing onsite power plants, are often hindered by delays in obtaining necessary gas turbines and grid energy. At the recent Data Center World Power show in San Antonio in October 2025, natural gas provider ProEnergy introduced an innovative solution: repurposed aviation engines.
According to Landon Tessmer, Vice President of Commercial Operations at ProEnergy, the company’s PE6000 gas turbines are being utilized to supply power during the construction of data centers and in their initial years of operation. These turbines can either serve as backup sources when grid power is available or be sold to local utilities. “We have sold 21 gas turbines for two data-center projects amounting to more than 1 gigawatt (GW),” said Tessmer. He noted that these projects are expected to provide bridging power for five to seven years, until they achieve grid interconnection.
Aeroderivative Turbines: A New Power Source
The concept of converting successful aircraft engines for stationary power generation is not new. Gas turbine manufacturers like GE Vernova and Siemens Energy have long employed this practice, developing what are known as aeroderivative gas turbines. These turbines are lighter, smaller, and more easily maintained than traditional heavy-frame gas turbines, making them an attractive option for data centers facing power shortages.
Mark Axford, President of Axford Turbine Consultants, emphasized the complexity of adapting aviation engines for power generation. For example, the GE Vernova LM6000 gas turbine is based on the widely used CF6-80C2 turbofan engine. First released in 1985, the LM6000 debuted five years later as a power generation solution. Modifications include an expanded turbine section for generating shaft power, new controls, fuel nozzles for natural gas operation, and combustors designed to minimize nitrogen oxide emissions.
The demand for gas turbines continues to outstrip supply. Paul Browning, CEO of Generative Power Solutions, remarked that the situation is likely to worsen. Ordering a turbine from GE Vernova or Siemens Energy may result in a waiting period of three to five years, with some models experiencing even longer delays. In contrast, ProEnergy’s PE6000 can be delivered by 2027, providing a more immediate power solution.
Revitalizing Old Engines for New Uses
ProEnergy’s approach involves refurbishing retired CF6-80C2 engine cores, which are then combined with newly manufactured parts to create the PE6000 turbine. Each refurbished engine can generate 48 megawatts (MW), sufficient to power a small to medium-sized data center or a town of approximately 20,000 to 40,000 households. Tessmer noted that around 1,000 of these aircraft engines are expected to be retired over the next decade, ensuring a steady supply for conversion.
Larger data centers often demand over 100 MW of power, with some designed for AI applications exceeding 1 GW. The refurbishment process restores each engine to like-new condition, involving disassembly, inspection, and replacement of parts as necessary. ProEnergy focuses exclusively on the CF6-80C2 engine to streamline engineering and maintenance efforts.
Originally intended for utilities needing extra capacity during peak hours, the PE6000 turbines have found a new role in powering entire data centers. They operate on natural gas and can be fully functional within five minutes of startup. If maintenance is required, a spare turbine can be swapped in within 72 hours. Emissions from these turbines average 2.5 parts per million of nitrogen oxide, well below EPA regulations.
The growing reliance on aeroderivative turbines is influenced by the extensive delays in grid connections. Tessmer has witnessed permitting processes taking eight to ten years in some regions. If utilities struggle to provide timely grid power, bridging solutions like the PE6000 could become essential for supporting the expanding AI infrastructure.
As data centers continue to proliferate, innovative power solutions will be crucial in meeting their energy demands while navigating the complexities of modern power generation and regulatory frameworks.
