ProEnergy Converts Boeing 747 Engines to Power AI Data Centers

The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) is placing unprecedented strain on global power grids, particularly for data centers. To address the urgent energy needs, US-based ProEnergy has developed an innovative solution: repurposing retired jet engines into high-capacity power generators. The approach allows operators to deploy electricity at scale more quickly than conventional power plants.

ProEnergy acquires CF6-80C2 engine cores, originally used in Boeing 747s, and retrofits them with new aero-derivative components to operate as land-based gas turbines. The resulting units, branded as PE6000, deliver up to 48MW of electrical power per turbine, enough to supply a medium-sized data center or approximately 40,000 homes. “Both projects are designed to provide bridging power for five to seven years, which is when they expect to have grid interconnection,” said Jeff Canon, CEO, ProEnergy. 

The retrofit process includes expanding the turbine section to convert engine thrust into shaft power, installing struts and supports for mounting, and adding new control systems. After assembly, the turbines are integrated into two-turbine power blocks that include generators, air cooling units, selective catalytic reduction systems, and supporting electrical infrastructure. 

“We have sold 21 gas turbines for two data center projects amounting to more than 1GW. Both projects are expected to provide bridging power for five to seven years,” says Landon Tessmer, Vice President of Commercial Operations, ProEnergy.

ProEnergy’s strategy addresses a critical bottleneck in the conventional gas turbine market. Traditional manufacturers such as GE Vernova, Siemens Energy, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries face multi-year backlogs, with delivery times stretching toward 2029. “A PE6000 from ProEnergy can be delivered in 2027,” Tessmer noted, highlighting the advantage of repurposing retired aircraft engines. Approximately 1,000 CF6-80C2 engines are expected to retire over the next decade, offering a steady supply of cores for conversion.

The turbines provide flexibility beyond initial deployment. Once the data centers achieve grid connection, the units can serve as backup generators, supplement the local utility, or be sold to other power providers. This approach allows operators to bypass the lengthy construction and regulatory processes that can delay traditional power plants by up to a decade.