Piston power |
Bergen ships first engines for data centre application
Bergen B36:45V20 engine. (Image: Bergen Engines)
The first four of 36 Bergen B36:45V20 medium- speed lean-burn gas engines, each producing 11.2 MW of behind-the-meter (BTM) power, have been shipped from the Bergen factory in Norway, destined for the company’s first AI data centre BTM power project, a 400 MW facility on the US east coast. The engines, which will be fitted with Marelli Motori high-density alternators on site, are scheduled to come into service in April, together with Piller SHIELDX™ power stabilisation modules. Further engine deliveries will be made progressively through 2026, with all 36 Bergen- Marelli generator sets and SHIELDX™ modules to be delivered by year end and 400 MW of gross of BTM power coming on stream in Q1 2027. “This is an historic moment” said Bergen managing director Jon Erik Røv. “The race to power AI is on and Bergen Engines is very much part of that. With over $1 billion of orders received in December alone, powering AI has become a major focus.”
The 400 MW power plant will operate fully off grid in true islanded mode, and according
to Bergen, it will be “the first medium-speed reciprocating engine power plant in North America designed for AI-driven workloads.” The Piller SHIELDX™ power stabilisation system uses a combination of mechanical inertia and bi-directional active power modules to manage both large sudden load steps and the rapid, frequent transients characteristic of AI workloads. By absorbing these fluctuations, SHIELDX™ reduces the ramp-rate demand placed on the engines, improves fuel efficiency, lowers operational stress, and optimises maintenance cycles, says Bergen. The 400 MW project is being delivered by E-Finity Distributed Generation in the roles of EPC and long term O&M provider, with Bergen offering post-commissioning support for major service intervals and spare parts provision. Originally conceived of as a 100 MW facility, the project has since grown fourfold, reflecting the explosive growth of the AI sector and the mounting pressure on available power infrastructure. “This contract marks an exciting milestone for Bergen Engines and our partners at E-Finity.
The first four Bergen B36:45V20 engines for AI data centre application are loaded for shipment to the USA in December 2025. 36 of these natural gas fuelled engines will provide up to 400 MW of behind the meter power. (Image: Bergen Engines)
Together, we are setting a new benchmark for independent power at AI scale,” said Theo Lorentzos, VP Sales Americas, Bergen Engines. “By combining Bergen’s engines with Piller SHIELDX™, this project delivers the power and stability that modern AI workloads demand.” Formerly Rolls-Royce Bergen Engines, the company became part of private engineering group Langley Holdings in 2021. Piller and Marelli are, like Bergen itself, also owned by Langley Holdings.
Golden O&M opportunity for Wärtsilä
Wärtsilä has renewed its operation & maintenance agreement with Tasiast Mauritanie Limited SA, a subsidiary of the Canadian group Kinross Gold Corporation, for another three years. The agreement aims to ensure that the gold mine’s recip based 60 MW power plant continues to operate reliably and safely to support the facility’s production schedules.
Wärtsilä has been operating and maintaining the power plant since it was built in 2013. In connection with the power plant extension in 2022, an outcome-based element was introduced into the O&M agreement focusing on delivering measurable results aligned with the mine’s commercial and operational targets in a sustainable way. The entire O&M agreement and the outcome-based element promote a shared responsibility between
Wärtsilä has renewed its gold mine power plant O&M agreement with Tasiast Mauritanie Limited for another three years. (Image: Wärtsilä Corporation)
Wärtsilä and the customer in achieving these targets.
The mine is located about 300 km north of Mauritania’s capital, Nouakchott. The mine relies on electricity from an isolated hybrid grid comprising PV and batteries, with the Wärtsilä
22 | January/February 2026 |
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power plant providing both baseload power and spinning reserve to secure consistent energy for the hybrid grid. “Our operation & maintenance agreements cover every aspect of the power plant’s day-to-day operation and all related maintenance and administration tasks. By tailoring the agreement to the customer’s specific requirements, we can deliver performance and lifecycle cost guarantees to add considerable value to the business,” comments Patrick Borstner, Director, Operations Africa at Wärtsilä Energy.
Wärtsilä supplied the equipment for the power plant in 2013, and extended the plant under an engineering, procurement and construction contract in 2021. A new project to install two additional Wärtsilä engines is currently in progress.
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