The first four of 36 Bergen B36:45V20 medium-speed lean-burn gas engines, each producing 11.2 MW of behind-the-meter (BTM) power, have been shipped from the Bergen factory in Norway, destined for the company’s first AI data centre BTM power project, a 400 MW facility on the US east coast. The engines, which will be fitted with Marelli Motori high-density alternators on site, are scheduled to come into service in April, together with Piller SHIELDX™ power stabilisation modules.
Further engine deliveries will be made progressively through 2026, with all 36 Bergen-Marelli generator sets and SHIELDX™ modules to be delivered by year end and 400 MW of gross of BTM power coming on stream in Q1 2027.
“This is an historic moment” said Bergen managing director Jon Erik Røv. “The race to power AI is on and Bergen Engines is very much part of that. With over $1 billion of orders received in December alone, powering AI has become a major focus.”
The 400 MW power plant will operate fully off grid in true islanded mode, and according to Bergen, it will be “the first medium-speed reciprocating engine power plant in North America designed for AI-driven workloads.”
The Piller SHIELDX™ power stabilisation system uses a combination of mechanical inertia and bi-directional active power modules to manage both large sudden load steps and the rapid, frequent transients characteristic of AI workloads. By absorbing these fluctuations, SHIELDX™ reduces the ramp-rate demand placed on the engines, improves fuel efficiency, lowers operational stress, and optimises maintenance cycles, says Bergen.
The 400 MW project is being delivered by E-Finity Distributed Generation in the roles of EPC and long term O&M provider, with Bergen offering post-commissioning support for major service intervals and spare parts provision.
Originally conceived of as a 100 MW facility, the project has since grown fourfold, reflecting the explosive growth of the AI sector and the mounting pressure on available power infrastructure.
“This contract marks an exciting milestone for Bergen Engines and our partners at E-Finity. Together, we are setting a new benchmark for independent power at AI scale,” said Theo Lorentzos, VP Sales Americas, Bergen Engines. “By combining Bergen’s engines with Piller SHIELDX™, this project delivers the power and stability that modern AI workloads demand.”
Formerly Rolls-Royce Bergen Engines, the company became part of private engineering group Langley Holdings in 2021. Piller and Marelli are, like Bergen itself, also owned by Langley Holdings.
