---
title: "Jet Engines Used as Temporary Power Solution by Data Centers"
url: https://noti.group/jet-engines-used-as-temporary-power-solution-by-data-centers/
language: en
publisher: "Noti Group"
section: "Technology"
published: 2026-11-03T22:19:53.000Z
updated: 2026-11-04T00:20:56.095Z
id: 6a5c2db6-1f62-4883-8d33-5de5dc61fe7f
source: "TechCrunch https://techcrunch.com/2026/11/03/data-centers-are-turning-to-old-jet-engines-as-the-wait-for-power-grows/"
attribution: "Link to https://noti.group/jet-engines-used-as-temporary-power-solution-by-data-centers/ and name Noti Group when you quote or summarize this story."
---

# Jet Engines Used as Temporary Power Solution by Data Centers

Data center operators are turning to old jet engines as a temporary fix due to growing disparity between power supply and demand.

Data centers are turning to old jet engines as the wait for power grows increasingly lengthy, forcing some operators to seek alternative solutions to meet their electricity needs.

The use of converted jet engines is a temporary fix, as they burn natural gas and are not intended as a permanent power plant solution. However, this unconventional approach highlights the growing disparity between power supply and the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence data centers.

Companies struggling with years-long delays in securing grid connections or installing new turbines are opting for the expedient route of using converted jet engines to generate electricity. According to Rystad Energy analyst Audun Martinsen, these units can be operational within a relatively short timeframe of 24 months.

The significant lag in power supply is evident in comparison to the typical seven-year wait for hooking up 100 megawatts to the grid in regions like Northern Virginia. The International Energy Agency notes that most new power capacity will come online by 2031, although this timeline remains uncertain.

Some data center operators are already paying the price for these delays, as they lose business due to inadequate power supply. Microsoft recently pulled out of its anchor position for Nscale's data center in Loughton, England, following a notification from the local utility that it would not be able to deliver sufficient power until the early-to-mid 2030s.

As data centers face increasing challenges in securing sufficient power, some companies are turning to unconventional sources of energy. One such example is xAI's Colossus 2 data center in Memphis, which has installed eight converted jet-engine turbines to help meet its power needs.

These units come from ProEnergy, a company that specializes in rebuilding GE engines commonly found on Boeing jets. The same technology is also being used by OpenAI at its Stargate site in Abilene, Texas, where gas turbines were installed in 2025.

Crusoe, a Denver-based startup building AI data centers, has taken a similar approach and ordered 13 converted units from ProEnergy for its own campus in Abilane. However, the company's plans to use natural gas turbines have been put on hold after it walked away from a $1.25 billion deal with Boom Supersonic.

The growing trend of self-generation is also being encouraged by the Trump administration, which has been urging data centers to produce their own electricity. While this may provide short-term solutions for companies struggling to secure power, experts warn that converted jet engines have significant drawbacks in terms of efficiency and environmental impact.

These turbines are less efficient than those designed for conventional gas plants and require more units to generate the same amount of power, according to reports. As a result, some industry watchers predict that concerns over efficiency and pollution may become more pressing within the next year or two, potentially making converted jet engines a short-term solution rather than a long-term strategy.

The trend of repurposing old jet engines as power sources is gaining traction in the data center industry. Converted jet engines are being eyed as a short-term solution due to concerns over efficiency and pollution, which may become more pressing within the next year or two.

Industry insiders believe that converted jet engines can provide a reliable source of power for data centers during periods of high demand. This technology has been around for some time but is now gaining attention as the wait for new power sources continues. The use of old jet engines in this manner could offer a more immediate solution to meet increasing energy needs.

The focus on efficiency and pollution may soon shift from being a long-term concern to an urgent issue, making converted jet engines a viable option for data centers looking to reduce their carbon footprint and ensure a stable power supply.

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Source: [TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2026/11/03/data-centers-are-turning-to-old-jet-engines-as-the-wait-for-power-grows/)  
Published by Noti Group: https://noti.group/jet-engines-used-as-temporary-power-solution-by-data-centers/