INNIO Group has agreed a contract with German utility Kraftwerke Mainz-Wiesbaden AG (KMW) to deliver a new 54 megawatt peaking power plant in Mainz, designed in part to safeguard electricity supplies for a major new data centre. The deal will see twelve modular energy systems from INNIO installed on the KMW site, with commissioning planned by the end of 2027.
The plant will provide fast‑start backup capacity for the Green Rocks data centre, which is being jointly developed by KMW and Norwegian operator Green Mountain. In the event of a grid failure or wider blackout, INNIO’s decentralised units are intended to step in to keep critical IT infrastructure online and maintain power to essential systems.
KMW board member Oliver Malerius described the agreement as a key step in securing the region’s digital and energy future. “The partnership between INNIO and KMW is a strategic milestone for energy supply in Mainz. It combines efficiency with future viability and is designed to support the operation of our data center even in the event of a blackout,” he said.
The project comes as data centres across Europe seek more resilient and lower‑emission alternatives to conventional diesel backup plants. INNIO says the systems being supplied to KMW can cut nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 95% compared with traditional diesel generators, while allowing operators to ramp output up or down in line with real‑time power needs. The units are also described as “ready for H2”, meaning they are designed to be capable of running on hydrogen or hydrogen‑blended fuels as those become more widely available.
“With our innovative energy solutions, we secure the power supply for critical infrastructure and data centers, enabling dynamic AI development not only in the U.S., but also right here in the heart of Europe,” said Thomas Seeber, managing director Sales Data Center at INNIO Group.
