AI Data Centers Are Buying Used Jet Engines as New Power Turbines Take Six Years

AI data-centre developers are turning to refurbished turbines and jet-engine-derived generators as a shortage of new power equipment threatens to delay projects. The rush reflects the sector’s need to bring large computing campuses online quickly, while grid connections and conventional turbine orders can take years.

New gas turbines in the US take an average of six years to deliver, and global orders exceed 100 gigawatts against annual manufacturing capacity of 60 to 70 gigawatts. Crusoe ordered 13 jet-engine-derived units rated at 50 megawatts each, while used turbines can cost about $1.5 million to $1.7 million per megawatt, compared with $2 million to $2.5 million for new units. The International Energy Agency expects data-centre electricity use to rise from 485 terawatt-hours in 2025 to 950 in 2030; on-site power also brings fuel, emissions and permitting issues.