Data centers seek used equipment as supply chains for new turbines delay until 2030

Companies operating power-intensive artificial intelligence data centers are increasingly turning to the secondary market for used equipment and jet-engine-based turbines. This shift is driven by severe delivery delays for new, high-cost power infrastructure, with current delivery windows for new equipment in the United States now stretching into 2030 and 2031.

Aurora Tenorio, a senior analyst at Wood Mackenzie, confirmed that supply discussions are fixated on the 2030-2031 timeframe. Consequently, firms are opting for pre-owned components to bypass long manufacturer backlogs. Ana Amicarella, CEO of the equipment service firm EthosEnergy, noted that this trend has created massive demand in the secondary market, leading to a significant increase in prices for older hardware.

This surge in demand persists despite growing skepticism regarding artificial intelligence risks and a recent decline in the value of related technology stocks. The bottleneck in energy infrastructure is forcing companies to adapt their procurement strategies to maintain the operational capacity required for AI growth.