Caterpillar has announced an agreement to supply American Intelligence & Power Corporation (AIP) with 2 GW of Cat G3516 fast response natural gas generator sets for AIP’s flagship Monarch Compute campus for hyperscale and enterprise data centre customers. With on-site support from Boyd CAT, the fast-response generation equipment will be augmented with battery energy storage systems designed to handle the extreme load swings of AI data centres. The entire behind-the-meter power platform is designed to generate power onsite without requiring incremental utility transmission or distribution infrastructure to serve its load.
This first order will support Monarch’s initial phases, with additional expansion up to 8 GW planned over time. The Monarch Compute Campus is located on a 2380-acre site near Point Pleasant, Western Virginia in the USA. It is a large-scale, multi-phase power generation and infrastructure platform designed to deliver long-term, high-reliability power solutions to hyperscale and enterprise data centre customers. Power delivery begins in 2026 with 2 GW online in 2027.
The Caterpillar equipment and battery systems are expected to be commissioned and ready to deliver power within months of equipment delivery, supporting Monarch’s accelerated time-to-market strategy.
Daniel J. Shapiro, CEO of AIP Corp, said: “Our design is purpose-built for AI data centre operations, combining fast-response natural gas generation with battery energy storage to manage rapid load variability and deliver consistent power quality at scale. By making use of our existing microgrid designation from the State of West Virginia, we can bring new capacity online quickly while supporting long-term grid reliability and resilience, without increasing rates or adding costs for existing utility customers.”
The G3516 fast-response natural gas generator sets are said to be well-suited for behind-the-meter data centre applications owing to their rapid start capability, load-following performance, and high reliability in continuous-duty operation. The G3516 platform can ramp from zero to full load in approximately seven seconds. The gensets will operate on natural gas and incorporate advanced emissions controls, including selective catalytic reduction (SCR), to support ultra-low emissions performance and compliance with all relevant air permitting requirements.
In parallel with the purchase agreement, AIP Corp and Caterpillar have entered into a strategic alliance agreement establishing a streamlined framework for collaboration focused on equipment optimisation, phased expansion planning, operations and maintenance strategy, and long-term lifecycle performance.
