# Internal combustion engines and gensets: Value chain

How data centres sparked a gas-engine boom

Source page: https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_engines/valuechain/

What this tab covers Who does what, from equipment makers to builders, owners, operators, traders and users, with the leading companies at each step.

Engine power is a mature industry of large engine makers, genset packagers and dealer networks; data centres have created a boom in gas-engine plants, with single orders now in the gigawatts.

#### The chain
 Engine makers Genset packagers Distributors, installers and developers Users

| Stage | What happens | Leading companies |
|---|---|---|
| **Engine makers** | Design and cast engine blocks, crankshafts and fuel systems, from car engines to 18 MW power-plant engines. | Caterpillar (United States) Cummins (United States) Wärtsilä (Finland) INNIO Jenbacher (Austria) Rolls-Royce Power Systems, mtu (Germany and United Kingdom) Everllence (Germany) Weichai Power (China)^[1](https://dieselnet.com/news/2024/04weichai.php)^[4](https://www.powermag.com/engine-power-plants-surge-as-data-centers-drive-unprecedented-demand/)^[13](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/26172/000002617226000009/cmi-20251231.htm) |
| **Genset packagers** | Combine the engine with an alternator, controls, enclosure and fuel tank. Generac had 2025 sales of USD 4.2 billion and expects commercial and industrial sales to grow about 30% in 2026, mainly from data centres. Cummins sells standby and prime gensets from 2 kW to 3.5 MW and names Caterpillar, mtu and Kohler/SDMO (now Rehlko) as its main rivals. | Generac (United States) Cummins (United States) Rehlko, formerly Kohler Energy (United States) Caterpillar (United States) Rolls-Royce Power Systems, mtu (Germany) Volvo Penta (Sweden)^[4](https://www.powermag.com/engine-power-plants-surge-as-data-centers-drive-unprecedented-demand/)^[11](https://investors.generac.com/news-releases/news-release-details/generac-reports-fourth-quarter-and-full-year-2025-results)^[12](https://www.equipmentworld.com/business/article/15704847/kohler-energy-changes-name-to-rehlko)^[13](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/26172/000002617226000009/cmi-20251231.htm) |
| **Distributors, installers and developers** | Sell, install and often run plants for clients, including power packs for data centres. | Clarke Energy (United Kingdom, part of Rehlko) VoltaGrid (United States) Hunt Energy (United States) EMPower (United States)^[4](https://www.powermag.com/engine-power-plants-surge-as-data-centers-drive-unprecedented-demand/)^[12](https://www.equipmentworld.com/business/article/15704847/kohler-energy-changes-name-to-rehlko) |
| **Users** | Utilities for flexible balancing plants, data centres for primary and backup power, factories, hospitals and homes for backup, and vehicles and ships for propulsion. Rolls-Royce alone has installed more than 85,000 mtu emergency power systems. | Kerrville Public Utility Board (United States) Statera Energy (United Kingdom) Toyota (Japan, vehicle engines)^[2](https://www.mobilityengineeringtech.com/component/content/article/43504-sae-ma-02815)^[4](https://www.powermag.com/engine-power-plants-surge-as-data-centers-drive-unprecedented-demand/) |

#### Sources

1. [Weichai unveils diesel engine with 53.09% brake thermal efficiency](https://dieselnet.com/news/2024/04weichai.php) DieselNet, 2024
2. [Toyota Unveils More New Gasoline ICEs with 40% Thermal Efficiency](https://www.mobilityengineeringtech.com/component/content/article/43504-sae-ma-02815) SAE Mobility Engineering, 2018
3. [Engine Power Plants Surge as Data Centers Drive Unprecedented Demand](https://www.powermag.com/engine-power-plants-surge-as-data-centers-drive-unprecedented-demand/) POWER Magazine, 2026
4. [Generac reports fourth quarter and full-year 2025 results](https://investors.generac.com/news-releases/news-release-details/generac-reports-fourth-quarter-and-full-year-2025-results) Generac Holdings, 2026
5. [Kohler Energy changes name to Rehlko](https://www.equipmentworld.com/business/article/15704847/kohler-energy-changes-name-to-rehlko) Equipment World, 2024
6. [Cummins Inc. Form 10-K for fiscal year 2025](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/26172/000002617226000009/cmi-20251231.htm) Cummins / US SEC, 2026

## Other sections

- [Summary](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_engines/index.md)
- [Overview](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_engines/overview/index.md)
- [Correlation](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_engines/correlation/index.md)
- [Science and limits](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_engines/science/index.md)
- [Unit economics](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_engines/economics/index.md)
- [Engineering methods](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_engines/methods/index.md)
- [Equipment and suppliers](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_engines/equipment/index.md)
- [Relationships](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_engines/links/index.md)