Ansaldo Energia signed a contract with Pacifico Energy to supply eight AE64.3A gas turbines and their respective generators for a power generation project in Texas. The first deliveries are scheduled for 2027 and mark the Italian company’s return to the U.S. market for new power plants after more than thirty years.
The project responds to the sustained increase in electricity consumption associated with the development of large-scale data centers dedicated to artificial intelligence applications and cloud computing services. In this context, operators are seeking generation solutions close to their facilities to strengthen supply reliability and reduce dependence on congested power grids.
Gas turbines designed for flexible operation
The AE64.3A turbines were developed for applications that require fast starts, high availability, and operational flexibility. This F-class model exceeds 70 installations in different countries and has accumulated more than four million equivalent operating hours.
In addition to its power range, the platform supports different fuels, facilitating its integration into modular power plants, commonly used to supply digital infrastructure. Likewise, these turbines can be incorporated into cogeneration systems, enabling waste heat recovery while maintaining high levels of availability.
Energy infrastructure for AI growth
Pacifico Energy develops energy and resilience solutions for industrial and commercial customers facing power grid constraints. Its model combines power generation, battery storage, and microgrids to provide a stable supply to high-demand facilities such as data centers, hospitals, industrial plants, and logistics operators.
The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence is increasing the energy needs of hyperscale data centers in the United States. As a result, utilities and independent producers are driving new gas-fired generation projects alongside renewable energy initiatives and energy storage.
A contract with growth potential
For Ansaldo Energia, this order represents a strategic step in one of the world’s most important power markets. Although the company has remained active in the services segment within the United States, it had not supplied equipment for new generation plants for more than three decades.
Stefano Gianatti, Executive Vice President of Ansaldo Energia’s New Thermal Units, highlighted that the project reflects the growing role of flexible gas-fired generation in supporting the expansion of digital infrastructure driven by artificial intelligence.
The companies also noted that this agreement could open up new opportunities for collaboration as investment in energy capacity for data centers in North America continues to increase.
Source: Offshore Technology
Photo: Shutterstock
