Marketplace All-in-One High-tech data centers get a powerful assist from a century-old company
Feb 16, 2026
Dan Ackerman, Marketplace technology reporter who covers tech and business, discusses Caterpillar's newfound role in powering AI data centers. He explains why data centers face long grid wait times. He describes how Caterpillar’s gas generators are shifting from backup to primary power and why natural gas enables faster deployment. He also looks at production constraints as demand surges.
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Data Centers Bypass Grid Delays
- Data centers face long interconnection queues that delay grid connections for years.
- Operators are increasingly choosing on-site generation to avoid those delays.
Generators Move From Backup To Primary Power
- Caterpillar supplies natural gas-powered generators that convert fuel into on-site electricity.
- These generators are shifting from backup roles to primary power sources for data centers.
Excavator Engines Repurposed For Power
- Daniel Ackerman compares Caterpillar's excavators to the engines inside that now power generators.
- He explains Caterpillar has decades of engine manufacturing experience repurposed into power generation equipment.