Wärtsilä to Supply 282 MW Onsite Power Solution for a U.S. Data Center as AI Growth Intensifies Demand for Reliable Power

­Technology group Wärtsilä has secured an order to supply a 282 MW onsite power solution for a data center project being developed by a major US independent power producer in the United States. The power plant will operate with 15 Wärtsilä 50SG engines. The order demonstrates the growing need for fast-deployable onsite power solutions as grid constraints, lengthy connection timelines, and accelerating AI-driven electricity demand create power availability challenges for new data center developments. The order was booked by Wärtsilä in Q3 2026.

The project further strengthens Wärtsilä's proven position in the rapidly growing U.S. data center power market. It marks the company's seventh data center-related order in the United States, bringing the total power capacity sold by Wärtsilä for U.S. data center applications to more than 3 GW. The customer selected Wärtsilä engine-based solution for its ability to provide large-scale power capacity on efficient timelines while enabling phased expansion as computing demand grows.

The Wärtsilä 50SG engines provide high efficiency in demanding operating conditions, feature a closed-loop cooling system that minimises water consumption compared with conventional thermal power alternatives and offer flexibility to convert the engines to run on future fuels. For data center developers, these features translate into dependable power availability, scalable growth, and greater long-term optionality.

“The U.S. data center market is moving faster than traditional power infrastructure can support,” says Risto Paldanius, Vice President, Americas at Wärtsilä Energy. “This order shows how flexible onsite power can help developers secure reliable power, reduce deployment risk, and scale their operations with confidence. Our growing portfolio of data center projects to date demonstrates the critical role flexible engine technology can play in solving one of the sector’s most urgent growth challenges.”

The Wärtsilä equipment is scheduled for delivery in 2028, and the project is expected to become fully operational in 2029.   

Fast facts

• Project size: 282 MW
• Technology: 15 Wärtsilä 50SG engines
• Market: U.S. data center power
• Order booked by Wärtsilä: Q3 2026
• U.S. data center orders: Seventh project for Wärtsilä
• Total capacity sold for U.S. data centers: More than 3 GW
• Key benefits of Wärtsilä engine technology: Accelerates fast access to reliable power for data center growth while supporting efficient operations, low water use, and long-term energy flexibility