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Wärtsilä and Bergen Engines secure major power generation contracts for AI data centers
Sunday, March 15, 2026 at 05:39 AM
Data center operators are increasingly adopting ship engine technology for on-site power generation to support AI infrastructure. Recent contracts include Wärtsilä securing 282 MW and 507 MW orders in 2025, while Bergen Engines secured 130 MW and 400 MW orders during the same period.
Context
As AI data center power demand outpaces grid capacity, operators are pivoting toward decentralized primary power. Wärtsilä and Bergen Engines have secured major contracts in 2025 to supply gas-fired engines for on-site generation. Wärtsilä booked a 282 MW order in June 2025 followed by a massive 507 MW contract in November 2025 to provide continuous power for a U.S. facility. Similarly, Bergen Engines secured its first AI-dedicated project for 130 MW in June 2025, which was expanded to a 400 MW off-grid plant on the U.S. East Coast by November.
This shift to behind-the-meter and islanded mode operations highlights the critical bottleneck in global power infrastructure, where grid connection delays can reach up to 10 years. By utilizing medium-speed reciprocating engines, data centers can achieve up to 99.999% uptime and significantly faster deployment times. These modular systems are designed to handle the high load fluctuations of AI workloads while offering a future-proof path toward sustainable fuels like hydrogen.
Sources (8)
Announced orders - WärtsiläBergen Engines' first AI-dedicated power plant in the USA - CapacityBergen Engines Powers AI Data Centers with Gas SolutionsWärtsilä to power new US data centre with 507 MW gas engine plant - Modern Power Systems[PDF] 2025 Annual Report - EN - CisionFirst AI-Dedicated Power Plant | News - Bergen Engines
Rolls-Royce to supply 15 Bergen gas engines to Contract Power Group for Australian magnetite mine | Rolls-Royce
Engine Power Plants Surge as Data Centers Drive Unprecedented Demand
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