The Ultimate Guide to Data Centre Power

Why Data Centres Need Unbreakable Power

Data centres are the backbone of the modern world. They keep businesses online, store critical data, power financial markets, and enable the AI and cloud services we depend on every day. But as power demand skyrockets, keeping these facilities online has never been more challenging.

At Generators for Export, we work closely with operators around the world to supply cost-effective used generators that deliver resilience without compromising performance. We know the real challenges you face:

  • Unplanned downtime is costly and dangerous. 
  • New generators are expensive and come with long lead times.
  • Energy demand keeps rising while grid capacity struggles to keep up.
  • Sustainability pressures make energy choices more complex than ever.

The Role of Generators in Data Centres

Unlike ordinary businesses, data centres cannot tolerate power interruptions. Grid instability, storms, or maintenance can cut supply in an instant. That’s where backup generators step in.

At Generators for Export, we specialise in supplying refurbished diesel generators for data centres, units built for heavy duty, continuous use. Many of our customers choose used generators because they:

  • Save significantly on costs compared to buying new.
  • Avoid long leads from OEMs, which can stretch to months.
  • Gain proven reliability, as many of our units are ex-data centre stock designed for critical applications.

We carefully test and service each generator before export, giving you confidence in your generator without overspending.

Building Resilient Power Systems

1. Redundancy is Non-Negotiable

Data centres should never rely on a single backup. N+1 or 2N redundancy ensures there's always an extra generator ready to take over if one fails. At Generators for Export, we often supply matched sets of used diesel generators to help operators build resilient, scalable systems at a fraction of new equipment costs.

N+1 and 2N are data centre redundancy models that provide back up for critical systems:

N = Need: the number of generators required to run the facility at full load.
N+1: enough generators for the full load, plus one extra for failover. If 4 are needed, an N+1 system installs 5.
2N: a complete duplicate system, so if the primary set fails, the backup set takes over instantly.

2. Seamless Automatic Switchover

Modern data centres use automatic transfer switches (ATS) to move instantly from grid to generator power. We frequently supply compatible used ATS units alongside our generators, helping customers implement a complete backup solution, not just the engines. 

3. Scalability for Growth

Data centre energy demand is rising fast, especially with AI workloads. That’s why many operators turn to us for modular used generator solutions, starting with a reliable set today, and expanding capacity with additional units as loads increase. 

Managing Costs Without Sacrificing Reliability

One of the biggest pain points for data centre operators is balancing reliability with cost. New Tier 5 compliant generators can be prohibitively expensive, especially for developing regions.

Our approach at Generators for Export is simple:

  • Source premium used generators from leading brands.
  • Refurbish and test every unit to data centre standards.
  • Export worldwide, giving operators access to reliable machines without breaking budgets.

Supporting Sustainability Goals

Many customers ask us: “Can used generators still fit into our sustainability strategy?” 

  • Refurbishing extends lifespan, reducing the environmental impact of manufacturing new equipment.
  • Our stock includes fuel-efficient models that meet international emissions standards. 
  • Generators can be integrated into hybrid systems, paired with renewables or battery storage, to reduce carbon footprint while ensuring reliability.

At Generators for Export, we help operators choose units that align with both operational requirements and sustainability goals.

Data centres demand uncompromising reliability. At Generators For Export we specialise in delivering just that, supplying tested, reliable used generators that keep mission-critical operations running, without unnecessary costs or delays.

Whether your expanding capacity, replacing outdated units, or planning redundancy, our expertise and stock make us the go-to partner for data centre generator solutions worldwide.

If you’re selling your generator in favour of a newer, more updated set up, better aligned with your energy requirements, let us know! We’ll buy your old generators! We make the whole process easy. Take a look at our generators wanted page to find out just how easy it is to get rid of your old equipment.

Call: +44(0)1386 553344 | Email: sales@gfe.uk.com

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