# Temporary Power Market

> Global temporary power market: USD 19.89 billion in 2025, rising 6.47% a year to USD 37.22 billion by 2035 as data-centre bridging, grid delays and rental fleets grow.

Publisher: Douglas Insights  
Author: Douglas Insights Research Desk  
Report code: DI-EP-10866  
Published: 2026-11-06  
Last updated: 2026-11-06  
Next review: May 2027  
Page: https://www.douglasinsights.com/temporary-power-market/

## Key figures

| Measure | Value | How it is built |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Market size · 2025 | $19.89 Bn | About 41.0 GW on hire x USD 485,000 per MW-year = USD 19.89 billion. |
| Forecast · 2035 | $37.22 Bn | Base case: 5.0% capacity and 1.4% price per MW-year a year. |
| Revenue CAGR · 2026–2035 | 6.47% | (1.050 x 1.014) minus 1. |
| Volume · 2035 | About 66.8 GW on hire | Data-centre bridging, rental fleet growth, grid delays and disasters, less weak construction and engine rules. |
| Leading segment | Diesel and HVO generators, 62.0% | Skid-mounted sets that can be trucked to almost any site. |
| Fastest segment | Battery and hybrid units, 14.0% | USD 1.59 billion to USD 5.90 billion as microgrids pair gas with storage. |
| Fastest region | North America, 7.4% | USD 7.56 billion to USD 15.43 billion on data-centre bridging and storm response. |
| Market leader | Aggreko, about 12% (estimate) | Douglas Insights estimate; Aggreko about 12%, United Rentals about 6%, Sunbelt about 5%, Herc about 3%. |
| Event | Aggreko IPO filing | Aggreko, 17 September 2026: F-1/A shows data-centre revenue of USD 391 million in 2025, 11% of net revenue. |

## Key takeaways

- The temporary power market is worth USD 19.89 billion in 2025 and USD 37.22 billion in 2035, a 6.47% CAGR.
- About 41.0 GW on hire at USD 485,000 per megawatt-year form the 2025 base; capacity grows 5.0% a year and price rises 1.4%.
- Diesel and HVO generators hold 62.0% of value, but battery and hybrid units grow 14.0% a year to USD 5.90 billion by 2035.
- Aggreko's data-centre revenue rose from USD 96 million in 2023 to USD 391 million in 2025, its F-1/A of 17 September 2026 shows.
- A 5-year grid queue turns every 1 GW of delayed campus load into about 6 GW-years of rental demand, the Grid Wait Bridging Index shows.

Aggreko, the largest temporary power provider, earned net revenue of USD 3.4 billion in fiscal 2025 and lifted data-centre revenue from USD 96 million in 2023 to USD 391 million, 11% of the total, its [amended F-1 filing of 17 September 2026](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0002134090/000110465926108544/tmq-20260917xf1a.htm) shows. The temporary power market covers rented electricity generation and the equipment that delivers it: diesel and HVO generators, gas generators and mobile turbines, battery and hybrid units, load banks and distribution kit, hired for construction, industry, utilities, data centres, events and emergencies, valued at rental and service revenue excluding fuel. Douglas Insights sizes it at USD 19.89 billion in 2025, about 41.0 gigawatts (GW) on hire on average at USD 485,000 per megawatt-year, and at USD 37.22 billion in 2035, a 6.47% compound annual growth rate (CAGR). The study sits in our [portable and backup power coverage](https://www.douglasinsights.com/industry/portable-backup-power/), beside the [Portable Inverter Generator Market](https://www.douglasinsights.com/portable-inverter-generator-market/), [Data Center as a Bottleneck Market](https://www.douglasinsights.com/data-center-as-a-bottleneck-market/) and [Industrial Temperature Control Services Market](https://www.douglasinsights.com/industrial-temperature-control-services-market/) reports; every figure follows the Douglas Insights [research methodology](https://www.douglasinsights.com/research-methodology/).

## Which temporary power technology earns the most: diesel, gas or battery hybrid?

Diesel and HVO generators earn the most, 62.0% of 2025 value or about USD 12.33 billion, Douglas Insights estimates. Battery and hybrid units grow fastest, 14.0% a year from USD 1.59 billion to USD 5.90 billion by 2035.

| Technology | Share 2025 | Value 2025 | CAGR 2026-2035 | Value 2035 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Diesel and HVO generators | 62.0% | USD 12.33 billion | 4.2% | USD 18.60 billion |
| Gas generators and mobile turbines | 20.0% | USD 3.98 billion | 9.2% | USD 9.59 billion |
| Battery and hybrid units | 8.0% | USD 1.59 billion | 14.0% | USD 5.90 billion |
| Distribution, load banks and other | 10.0% | USD 1.99 billion | 5.6% | USD 3.43 billion |

Diesel leads because a skid-mounted generator can be trucked to almost any site and started the same day. Aggreko's fleet held 6.3 GW of diesel and HVO generation, 2.1 GW of gas and 0.3 GW of other generation, out of 17 GW including temperature control, its [F-1 of 17 September 2026](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0002134090/000110465926108544/tmq-20260917xf1a.htm) shows. Diesel value grows 4.2% a year to USD 18.60 billion as fleets swap fuel to hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO); about 250 generators ran on Eni HVO at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, cutting power-generation emissions about 71%, [Eni's release of 23 December 2025](https://www.eni.com/content/dam/enicom/documents/press-release/migrated/2025-en/12/pr-eni-milano-cortina-2026-products.pdf) states.

Gas generators and mobile turbines, USD 3.98 billion, grow 9.2% to USD 9.59 billion on long bridging contracts. New APR Energy deployed more than 100 megawatts (MW) from 4 mobile gas turbines for a US artificial intelligence (AI) hyperscaler, part of an 850 MW fleet, its [release of 25 February 2025](https://www.aprenergy.com/new-apr-energy-deploys-100mw-of-mobile-gas-turbines-for-u-s-based-ai-hyperscaler/) states. Battery and hybrid units, USD 1.59 billion, grow fastest; Aggreko's modular microgrids pair gas generators of 210 to 1,500 kW with battery storage from 65 kWh to 1.2 MWh, its [release of 3 June 2026](https://www.aggreko.com/en-us/news/aggreko-bridges-the-grid-power-gap) shows. Distribution, load banks and other kit, USD 1.99 billion, grow 5.6%. Technology values for 2035 sum to USD 37.52 billion, 0.80% above the headline.

## Who hires temporary power: construction, oil and gas, utilities or data centres?

Construction hires the most temporary power, 25.0% of 2025 value or about USD 4.97 billion, Douglas Insights estimates. Data centres grow fastest, 14.5% a year from USD 2.19 billion to USD 8.47 billion by 2035.

| End use | Share 2025 | Value 2025 | CAGR 2026-2035 | Value 2035 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Construction | 25.0% | USD 4.97 billion | 4.4% | USD 7.65 billion |
| Industrial, emergency and other | 22.0% | USD 4.38 billion | 5.0% | USD 7.13 billion |
| Oil, gas and mining | 20.0% | USD 3.98 billion | 4.0% | USD 5.89 billion |
| Utilities and grid support | 14.0% | USD 2.78 billion | 6.0% | USD 4.99 billion |
| Data centres | 11.0% | USD 2.19 billion | 14.5% | USD 8.47 billion |
| Events and entertainment | 8.0% | USD 1.59 billion | 5.0% | USD 2.59 billion |

Construction leads because every site needs power before its grid connection is energised. Industrial, emergency and other users, USD 4.38 billion, grow 5.0% on plant shutdowns and storm response. Oil, gas and mining, USD 3.98 billion, grow 4.0% as remote sites add hybrid units. Utilities, USD 2.78 billion, grow 6.0% on grid support during upgrades. Data centres match Aggreko's own mix: 11% of its 2025 net revenue came from them, its [F-1](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0002134090/000110465926108544/tmq-20260917xf1a.htm) shows. Events, USD 1.59 billion, grow 5.0%; FIFA sought temporary infrastructure suppliers for 16 stadiums in 16 host cities for the 2026 World Cup, its [request of 2 May 2024](https://inside.fifa.com/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026/news/request-for-expressions-of-interest-providing-temporary-infrastructure-and) shows. End-use values for 2035 sum to USD 36.71 billion, 1.38% below the headline.

## What drives temporary power demand: data-centre bridging, rental growth or grid delays?

Average capacity on hire rises 5.0% a year in our base case, from about 41.0 GW in 2025 to about 66.8 GW in 2035. Four drivers add 6.60 points of gross growth; restraints remove 1.60 points.

### Bridging power for AI data centres: 2.20 points

Data-centre bridging is the largest driver, worth 2.20 points. Data-centre electricity use rose 17% in 2025 and is expected to double by 2030, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said in a [release reported on 20 April 2026](https://www.iea.org/news/data-centre-electricity-use-surged-in-2025-even-with-tightening-bottlenecks-driving-a-scramble-for-solutions), noting that onsite gas projects cluster in the United States because grid connections are slow. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) puts US data centres at 649 terawatt-hours (TWh) in its 2030 reference case, about 11.8% of US electricity, in its [2025 update published in June 2026](https://eta-publications.lbl.gov/publications/united-states-data-center-energy-2025). Shelby County permitted 15 Solar SMT-130 turbines of up to 247 MW at xAI's Memphis site, [TechCrunch reported on 3 July 2025](https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/03/xai-gets-permits-for-15-natural-gas-generators-at-memphis-data-center). Douglas Insights estimates each 100 MW campus waiting two years for grid power hires about 120 MW of generation and storage, with redundancy.

### Rental fleet growth at the large hirers: 1.60 points

Rental expansion adds 1.60 points. United Rentals' Specialty rental revenue, which includes power and HVAC, rose 34.7% to a record USD 1.70 billion in the third quarter of 2026, and the company raised 2026 revenue guidance to USD 18.0 billion to USD 18.2 billion, its [8-K of 21 October 2026](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0001067701/000106770126000036/uri-9302026xex991.htm) shows. Sunbelt Rentals' North America Specialty revenue grew 6.5% to USD 3.72 billion in the year to 30 April 2026, with fourth-quarter growth "led by Power & HVAC, in particular Load Banks", its [results of 23 June 2026](https://ir.sunbeltrentals.com/filings/sec-filings/content/0001628280-26-044797/sunbeltpressrelease-fy26q4.htm) state. Herc closed its purchase of H&E Equipment Services on 2 June 2025, creating 613 locations, its [release](https://ir.hercrentals.com/news/news-details/2025/Herc-Holdings-Completes-Acquisition-of-HE-Equipment-Services/default.aspx) states.

### Grid connection delays and utility support: 1.40 points

Grid delays add 1.40 points. 2,061 GW of projects sought interconnection at the end of 2025, and the typical project took more than 3 years to a signed agreement and more than 5 years to commercial operation, LBNL's [Queued Up 2026 edition of 16 July 2026](https://emp.lbl.gov/index.php/queued-2026-edition-characteristics-power-plants-seeking-transmission-interconnection-end-2025) shows. US electricity use set records in 2025 and 2026, the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) [projected on 13 May 2025](https://www.eia.gov/TODAYINENERGY/detail.php?id=65264). Douglas Insights estimates utilities hire about 5.7 GW on average for substation work, outage cover and peak support.

### Disasters and large events: 1.40 points

Emergencies and events add the last 1.40 points. The United States declared 133 disasters from January to September 2026 against a 2021 to 2025 average of 125 a year, [USAFacts reported on 13 October 2026](https://usafacts.org/articles/federal-disaster-declaration-fema) from FEMA data. Loxam supplied temporary energy for the COP30 climate summit in Brazil, its [2025 results of 18 March 2026](https://loxam.com/en/?p=17878) state. Summed, 2.20 + 1.60 + 1.40 + 1.40 = 6.60 points, a Douglas Insights estimate.

## What holds temporary power back: weak construction or tighter engine rules?

Two restraints remove 1.60 points a year from capacity growth: soft construction and specialty rental demand takes 0.90 points, and stricter engine and grid-first event rules take 0.70 points.

Construction is the heavier drag because it is the largest end use. US construction spending fell 1.4% to USD 2,164 billion in 2025, with private spending down 2.9%, the [US Census Bureau reported on 27 February 2026](https://www.census.gov/construction/c30/pdf/pr202512.pdf). Atlas Copco's Power Technique revenue fell 4% organically to SEK 7.63 billion in the fourth quarter of 2025, with specialty rental demand "somewhat weaker", its [presentation of 27 January 2026](https://www.atlascopcogroup.com/content/dam/atlas-copco/group/documents/investors/financial-publications/english/20260127-quarterly-results-presentation-en-q4-2025.pdf.coredownload.inline.pdf) shows. Speedy Hire's revenue was flat at GBP 416.1 million in the year to March 2026 with a GBP 32.3 million pre-tax loss, its [results of 17 June 2026](https://www.lse.co.uk/rns/final-results-j3qi96y2slz87h9.html) show.

Engine rules and grid-first planning take 0.70 points. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) set 31 December 2026 as the end date for Tier 3 portable diesel engines of 50 to 750 brake horsepower unless they convert to low-use or emergency service or add filters, its [notice of 17 November 2025](https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/CARB/bulletins/3fa5de3) states, forcing fleet write-offs. The International Olympic Committee said Milano Cortina 2026 kept temporary generators "to a minimum" and ran venues on certified renewable grid power, its [update of 13 February 2026](https://www.olympics.com/ioc/news/milano-cortina-2026-advances-sustainability-through-venue-reuse-clean-energy-and-circularity) states, a model other organisers may copy.

## Which region hires the most temporary power, and where does demand grow fastest?

North America hires the most temporary power, USD 7.56 billion or 38.0% of 2025 value, and also grows fastest, 7.4% a year to USD 15.43 billion by 2035, on data-centre bridging and storm response.

| Region | Value 2025 | Share 2025 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-2035 | Value 2035 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| North America | USD 7.56 billion | 38.0% | USD 8.12 billion | 7.4% | USD 15.43 billion |
| Europe | USD 4.38 billion | 22.0% | USD 4.59 billion | 4.9% | USD 7.06 billion |
| Asia Pacific | USD 3.98 billion | 20.0% | USD 4.25 billion | 6.9% | USD 7.75 billion |
| Middle East and Africa | USD 2.59 billion | 13.0% | USD 2.76 billion | 6.6% | USD 4.90 billion |
| Latin America | USD 1.39 billion | 7.0% | USD 1.48 billion | 6.1% | USD 2.52 billion |

North America leads because its rental houses are the world's largest and its grid queue is the longest. United Rentals booked USD 4.64 billion of Specialty rental revenue in 2025, up 13.6%, [RER reported on 29 January 2026](https://www.rermag.com/news-analysis/headline-news/article/55353895/united-rentals-tops-16-billion-in-2025-revenue), and Herc grew 2025 revenue 23% to USD 4.38 billion, its [results of 17 February 2026](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260217252177/en) show. Regional value grows 7.4% a year.

Europe, USD 4.38 billion, grows 4.9% to USD 7.06 billion as low-emission rules reshape fleets; Loxam's 2025 revenue slipped 4% to EUR 2.47 billion, its [18 March 2026 release](https://loxam.com/en/?p=17878) shows, and Kiloutou's rose 3% to EUR 1.29 billion, its [2025 results release](https://www.kiloutou.com/group/en/press-releases/by-maintaining-a-sustainable-growth-kiloutou-confirms-the-strength-of-its-strategy/) states. Rehlko bought the UK's Wilmott Group, which supports more than 4,000 critical power plants from 19 locations, its [release of 4 August 2025](https://www.rehlko.com/rehlko-completes-acquisition-of-the-wilmott-group) shows. Asia Pacific, USD 3.98 billion, grows 6.9% on mining, island grids and data-centre builds. The Middle East and Africa, USD 2.59 billion, grow 6.6% on utility shortfalls and project sites. Latin America, USD 1.39 billion, grows 6.1%. Regional values sum to USD 21.19 billion in 2026 and USD 37.65 billion in 2035, 1.16% above the headline.

## Which companies lead the temporary power market?

Aggreko leads temporary power with about 12% of 2025 value, Douglas Insights estimates, ahead of United Rentals at about 6%, Sunbelt Rentals at about 5% and Herc at about 3%. The top five, adding New APR Energy, hold about 28%.

| Company | Temporary power position | Latest reported figure | Source date |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Aggreko | Global power and temperature control rental | FY2025 net revenue USD 3.4 billion; data centres USD 391 million | 17 September 2026 |
| United Rentals | Specialty: power and HVAC | Q3 2026 Specialty rental revenue USD 1.70 billion, up 34.7% | 21 October 2026 |
| Sunbelt Rentals | Power & HVAC, load banks | FY2026 North America Specialty revenue USD 3.72 billion | 23 June 2026 |
| Herc Holdings | ProSolutions power generation | Q3 2026 equipment rental revenue USD 1.25 billion, up 12% | 27 October 2026 |
| New APR Energy | Mobile gas turbines | 850 MW portfolio; 100 MW+ for an AI hyperscaler | 25 February 2025 |
| Loxam, Kiloutou, Speedy Hire and others | Regional general rental with power fleets | Loxam FY2025 revenue EUR 2.47 billion | 18 March 2026 |

Aggreko is the specialist leader. Its fiscal 2025 adjusted EBITDA reached USD 1.26 billion, up from USD 1.1 billion, and about 50% of net revenue came from contracts longer than a year, its [F-1 of 17 September 2026](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0002134090/000110465926108544/tmq-20260917xf1a.htm) shows, as owners TDR Capital and I Squared Capital prepare a New York listing first filed publicly on 24 August 2026, the [original F-1](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0002134090/000110465926100313/tmq-20260824xf1.htm) shows. With roughly two-thirds of its revenue from power, about USD 2.3 billion, Aggreko's share is about 12%, a Douglas Insights estimate.

General rental groups are closing in. Herc's equipment rental revenue rose 12% to USD 1.25 billion in the third quarter of 2026, and it raised full-year rental guidance to USD 4.48 billion to USD 4.55 billion, citing data-centre projects, its [8-K of 27 October 2026](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0001364479/000162828026067391/herc2026q3-pressrelease.htm) shows. A US antitrust notice named Elon Musk as buyer of New APR Energy, with Duos receiving USD 50.4 million for a 5% stake, implying at least USD 1 billion, the [Jacksonville Daily Record reported on 23 June 2026](https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2026/jun/23/ftc-filing-identifies-elon-musk-as-buyer-of-jacksonville-business/). Equipment makers supply these fleets: Caterpillar's power generation sales rose 30% in the third quarter of 2026 on data centres, [Utility Dive reported on 3 November 2026](https://www.utilitydive.com/news/caterpillar-posts-highest-sales-quarter-ever-data-centers-q3-2026/873586/), and Cummins' power generation sales reached USD 1.56 billion against USD 1.28 billion, its [8-K of 5 November 2026](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0000026172/000002617226000035/cmi2026q38-kex99.htm) shows.

## How much does temporary power cost per megawatt, and what moves rental rates?

Temporary power realises an average USD 485,000 per megawatt-year on hire in 2025, Douglas Insights estimates, about USD 55 per megawatt-hour before fuel, from USD 35 on long utility contracts to over USD 90 for event hires.

Published government schedules show the scale of all-in costs. FEMA's 2025 Schedule of Equipment Rates, which includes operating costs, lists a 400 kW diesel generator at USD 175.49 an hour, 500 kW at USD 296.15, 1,000 kW at USD 654.36 and 2,500 kW at USD 801.68, the [FEMA schedule](https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_pa_schedule-equipment-rates_2025.pdf) shows; commercial hirers quote most large units only on application. Douglas Insights puts monthly rental, before fuel, of a 500 kVA diesel set at about USD 9,000 to USD 14,000 and a 1 MW gas set on a multi-year bridging contract at about USD 30,000 to USD 40,000.

Average price per megawatt-year rises 1.4% a year in the base case, to about USD 557,000 in 2035, as battery and gas units with higher rental value gain share and Stage V and Tier 4 Final engines cost more to buy. Generac's commercial and industrial product sales rose about 28% to USD 552 million in the third quarter of 2026 and its data-centre backlog reached about USD 4.5 billion, its [8-K of 28 October 2026](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0001474735/000143774926033685/ex_1032565.htm) shows, which keeps new generator prices firm and rental rates with them.

## What if data-centre bridging fades or spreads: how large is the temporary power market in 2035?

The temporary power market ends 2035 between USD 28.36 billion and USD 47.76 billion across our three cases, around a base of USD 37.22 billion. Grid queue length and data-centre build pace set most of the spread.

| Case | Capacity leg | Price leg | Revenue rate | 2035 value |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Slower | 3.20% | 0.40% | 3.61% | USD 28.36 billion |
| Base case | 5.00% | 1.40% | 6.47% | USD 37.22 billion |
| Faster | 6.60% | 2.40% | 9.16% | USD 47.76 billion |

In the slower case interconnection reform cuts queue times, hyperscalers build their own permanent onsite plants and construction stays weak, taking 1.8 points off capacity and 1.0 point off price. In the faster case AI campuses keep outrunning grid upgrades into the 2030s and more utilities rent mobile turbines for peak cover, adding 1.6 points of capacity and 1.0 point of price. One extra point of yearly revenue growth adds about USD 3.70 billion to 2035 value, a Douglas Insights estimate.

Live signals sit between the base and faster cases. United Rentals' 34.7% Specialty growth, Caterpillar's 30% power generation rise and a USD 78 billion Caterpillar backlog point up; weak US private construction and Atlas Copco's softer specialty rental demand point down. The signal to watch is the next LBNL queue count: a further fall below 2,000 GW with shorter waits would push toward the slower case.

## Which rules shape temporary power, from Tier 4 and Stage V to CARB and London NRMM?

Four rule sets shape temporary power: US EPA nonroad engine standards and backup-generator guidance, the EU Stage V regulation, California's portable engine rules, and city low-emission zones such as London's for non-road mobile machinery.

Engine limits set what a rental fleet may run. Regulation (EU) 2016/1628 caps Stage V engines of 130 to 560 kW at 0.40 g/kWh of nitrogen oxides and 0.015 g/kWh of particulates, with a particle number limit, and generator sets above 560 kW at 0.67 g/kWh of nitrogen oxides, its [Annex II](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eur/2016/1628/annex/II) shows. US Tier 4 standards under [40 CFR 1039.101](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-40/chapter-I/subchapter-U/part-1039/subpart-B/section-1039.101) set the comparable American limits. London requires Stage IV across the city from 1 January 2025, Stage V from 1 January 2030 and zero emission from 1 January 2040, and constant-speed generators must already meet Stage V, the [Greater London Authority's NRMM page](https://www.london.gov.uk//what-we-do/environment/pollution-and-air-quality/nrmm) shows.

Operating rules set how often standby sets earn money. The EPA said emergency engines may run up to 50 hours a year for non-emergency use when a balancing authority or utility dispatches them to prevent local outages, in a [memo of 1 May 2025](https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2025-05/rice-memo-on-duke-energy-regulatory-interpretation-04_17_25.pdf) citing 40 CFR 63 subpart ZZZZ. CARB's 31 December 2026 Tier 3 phase-out, set out in its [17 November 2025 notice](https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/CARB/bulletins/3fa5de3), will push California hirers into newer engines or battery units.

## Douglas Exclusive: the Grid Wait Bridging Index

The Grid Wait Bridging Index is a Douglas Insights model built from 12 inputs: 6 government or laboratory releases and 6 company filings or statements, listed below. It estimates how much rented generation a grid-connection delay creates.

| Date | Input | What it moves |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 25 February 2025 | New APR Energy: 100 MW+ for an AI hyperscaler | Turbine bridging |
| 1 May 2025 | EPA: 50-hour non-emergency guidance | Standby earnings |
| 13 May 2025 | EIA: record US electricity use | Grid tightness |
| 3 July 2025 | Shelby County: 247 MW of turbines for xAI | Onsite bridging |
| 29 January 2026 | United Rentals: 2025 Specialty revenue USD 4.64 billion | Rental supply |
| 20 April 2026 | IEA: data-centre use up 17% in 2025 | Demand growth |
| 3 June 2026 | Aggreko: modular microgrids for data centres | Hybrid supply |
| June 2026 | LBNL: 649 TWh of US data-centre use by 2030 | Demand ceiling |
| 16 July 2026 | LBNL: 2,061 GW queued, more than 5 years to operation | Wait length |
| 17 September 2026 | Aggreko F-1: data-centre revenue USD 391 million | Bridging revenue |
| 28 October 2026 | Generac: USD 4.5 billion data-centre backlog | Equipment supply |
| 3 November 2026 | Caterpillar: power generation up 30% | Equipment supply |

The finding, a Douglas Insights estimate: Aggreko's data-centre revenue grew about 102% a year from 2023 to 2025, from USD 96 million to USD 391 million, far faster than the 17% rise in data-centre electricity use the IEA reported. At our USD 485,000 per megawatt-year, USD 391 million equals about 810 MW on hire. If each year of grid wait keeps about 1.2 MW of rented capacity on site per MW of new campus load, a 5-year queue turns every 1 GW of delayed load into about 6 GW-years of rental demand.

The index changes how to read the market. Temporary power used to follow construction and storms, which come and go; bridging contracts tie it to grid queues that last years. Douglas Insights therefore forecasts the data-centre line from queue length and campus pipelines, not from construction spending.

## How does the methodology turn 41 gigawatts into USD 19.89 billion?

Our methodology multiplies about 41.0 GW of average capacity on hire in 2025 by USD 485,000 per megawatt-year to reach USD 19.89 billion, then grows capacity 5.0% a year and price 1.4% a year.

The model covers 4 technologies, 6 end uses and 5 regions, using 56 data points, 22 sourced and 34 modelled. Capacity comes from a regional build: about 15.0 GW in North America, 9.2 GW in Europe, 8.4 GW in Asia Pacific, 5.4 GW in the Middle East and Africa and 3.0 GW in Latin America, Douglas Insights estimates drawn from Aggreko's 8.7 GW generation fleet, rental company revenue and fleet utilisation of about 60%. Arithmetic: 41,000 MW x USD 485,000 = USD 19.89 billion; USD 19.89 billion x (1.050 x 1.014)^10 = USD 37.22 billion. Capacity reaches about 43.1 GW in 2026 and 66.8 GW in 2035.

Two cross-checks agree. First, Aggreko's 8.7 GW of generation at about 60% utilisation is about 5.2 GW on hire, or USD 2.5 billion at our rate, close to the roughly USD 2.3 billion of power revenue we infer from its USD 3.4 billion total. Second, the data-centre line of USD 2.19 billion implies about 4.5 GW on hire for data centres, consistent with Aggreko's 11% data-centre mix and the 247 MW permit at a single xAI site. AI tools help draft the text and automated checks test the arithmetic and links; the Douglas Insights research desk chooses the sources, builds the model and approves publication, as our [editorial standards](https://www.douglasinsights.com/research-methodology/) explain.

## What counts in the temporary power study, and what is excluded?

The temporary power study counts rental and service revenue from hired generators, mobile turbines, battery and hybrid units, load banks and distribution equipment. Fuel resale, equipment sold outright, permanent independent power plants and temperature control rental are excluded.

The study splits value by 4 technologies, 6 end uses and 5 regions: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, and Latin America. Small consumer units appear in our [Portable Inverter Generator Market](https://www.douglasinsights.com/portable-inverter-generator-market/) report, grid-constrained computing in the [Data Center as a Bottleneck Market](https://www.douglasinsights.com/data-center-as-a-bottleneck-market/) study and rented chillers in the [Industrial Temperature Control Services Market](https://www.douglasinsights.com/industrial-temperature-control-services-market/) report.

## Market by segment

| Segment | Share | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Diesel and HVO generators | 62% | $12.33 Bn |
| Gas generators and mobile turbines | 20% | $3.98 Bn |
| Battery and hybrid units | 8% | $1.59 Bn |
| Distribution, load banks and other | 10% | $1.99 Bn |

## Market by region (USD million)

| Region | 2025 | 2026 | 2035 | CAGR 2026-2035 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Global | 19,885 | 21,171.6 | 37,221.9 | 6.47% |
| North America | 7,556.3 | 8,115.5 | 15,430.1 | 7.4% |
| Europe | 4,374.7 | 4,589 | 7,058.2 | 4.9% |
| Asia Pacific | 3,977 | 4,251.4 | 7,751.4 | 6.9% |
| Middle East and Africa | 2,585.1 | 2,755.7 | 4,898.1 | 6.6% |
| Latin America | 1,392 | 1,476.9 | 2,516.4 | 6.1% |

## Dataset

| Series | Value | Unit |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Market size 2025 | 19,885 | USD million |
| Market size 2035 | 37,221.9 | USD million |
| Revenue CAGR 2026-2035 | 6.47 | percent |
| Volume CAGR 2026-2035 | 5 | percent |
| Price per unit CAGR 2026-2035 | 1.4 | percent |

## Frequently asked questions

### How big is the temporary power market in 2025 and 2035?

USD 19.89 billion in 2025, from about 41.0 GW on hire at USD 485,000 per megawatt-year, rising to USD 37.22 billion by 2035 at a 6.47% CAGR.

### Which temporary power technology earns the most?

62.0% of 2025 value, about USD 12.33 billion, comes from diesel and HVO generators; battery and hybrid units grow fastest at 14.0% a year.

### Why do data centres rent temporary power?

2,061 GW of projects waited for grid connection at the end of 2025, often more than 5 years, so new campuses rent gas turbines, generators and batteries as bridging power.

### Which companies lead the temporary power market?

12% of 2025 value sits with Aggreko, Douglas Insights estimates, ahead of United Rentals at about 6%, Sunbelt Rentals at about 5% and Herc at about 3%.

### How much does it cost to rent a generator?

USD 485,000 per megawatt-year on hire on average before fuel, Douglas Insights estimates; FEMA's 2025 schedule lists a 500 kW diesel generator at USD 296.15 an hour including operation.

### Which region hires the most temporary power?

38.0% of 2025 value, USD 7.56 billion, is hired in North America, which also grows fastest at 7.4% a year.

## Sources

- [US SEC, Aggreko Inc. Form F-1/A](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0002134090/000110465926108544/tmq-20260917xf1a.htm)
- [US SEC, Aggreko Inc. Form F-1](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0002134090/000110465926100313/tmq-20260824xf1.htm)
- [Aggreko, Aggreko bridges the grid power gap](https://www.aggreko.com/en-us/news/aggreko-bridges-the-grid-power-gap)
- [APR Energy, New APR Energy deploys 100MW of mobile gas turbines](https://www.aprenergy.com/new-apr-energy-deploys-100mw-of-mobile-gas-turbines-for-u-s-based-ai-hyperscaler/)
- [Jacksonville Daily Record, FTC filing identifies Elon Musk as buyer](https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2026/jun/23/ftc-filing-identifies-elon-musk-as-buyer-of-jacksonville-business/)
- [US SEC, United Rentals Q3 2026 results, Exhibit 99.1](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0001067701/000106770126000036/uri-9302026xex991.htm)
- [RER, United Rentals tops USD 16 billion in 2025 revenue](https://www.rermag.com/news-analysis/headline-news/article/55353895/united-rentals-tops-16-billion-in-2025-revenue)
- [Sunbelt Rentals, Sunbelt Rentals FY2026 Q4 results](https://ir.sunbeltrentals.com/filings/sec-filings/content/0001628280-26-044797/sunbeltpressrelease-fy26q4.htm)
- [Herc Holdings, Herc completes acquisition of H&E](https://ir.hercrentals.com/news/news-details/2025/Herc-Holdings-Completes-Acquisition-of-HE-Equipment-Services/default.aspx)
- [Herc via Business Wire, Herc FY2025 results](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260217252177/en)
- [US SEC, Herc Q3 2026 results](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0001364479/000162828026067391/herc2026q3-pressrelease.htm)
- [Loxam, Loxam 2025 results](https://loxam.com/en/?p=17878)
- [Kiloutou, Kiloutou 2025 results](https://www.kiloutou.com/group/en/press-releases/by-maintaining-a-sustainable-growth-kiloutou-confirms-the-strength-of-its-strategy/)
- [Speedy Hire RNS, Speedy Hire final results](https://www.lse.co.uk/rns/final-results-j3qi96y2slz87h9.html)
- [Atlas Copco, Atlas Copco Q4 2025 results presentation](https://www.atlascopcogroup.com/content/dam/atlas-copco/group/documents/investors/financial-publications/english/20260127-quarterly-results-presentation-en-q4-2025.pdf.coredownload.inline.pdf)
- [Rehlko, Rehlko completes acquisition of the Wilmott Group](https://www.rehlko.com/rehlko-completes-acquisition-of-the-wilmott-group)
- [Utility Dive, Caterpillar posts highest sales quarter ever](https://www.utilitydive.com/news/caterpillar-posts-highest-sales-quarter-ever-data-centers-q3-2026/873586/)
- [US SEC, Cummins Q3 2026 results](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0000026172/000002617226000035/cmi2026q38-kex99.htm)
- [US SEC, Generac Q3 2026 results](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0001474735/000143774926033685/ex_1032565.htm)
- [IEA, Data centre electricity use surged in 2025](https://www.iea.org/news/data-centre-electricity-use-surged-in-2025-even-with-tightening-bottlenecks-driving-a-scramble-for-solutions)
- [Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, United States Data Center Energy Usage Report 2025 update](https://eta-publications.lbl.gov/publications/united-states-data-center-energy-2025)
- [Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Queued Up 2026 edition](https://emp.lbl.gov/index.php/queued-2026-edition-characteristics-power-plants-seeking-transmission-interconnection-end-2025)
- [US EIA, US electricity consumption to reach record highs](https://www.eia.gov/TODAYINENERGY/detail.php?id=65264)
- [TechCrunch, xAI gets permits for 15 natural gas generators](https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/03/xai-gets-permits-for-15-natural-gas-generators-at-memphis-data-center)
- [USAFacts, Federal disaster declarations](https://usafacts.org/articles/federal-disaster-declaration-fema)
- [US Census Bureau, Construction spending, December 2025](https://www.census.gov/construction/c30/pdf/pr202512.pdf)
- [Eni, Eni products for Milano Cortina 2026](https://www.eni.com/content/dam/enicom/documents/press-release/migrated/2025-en/12/pr-eni-milano-cortina-2026-products.pdf)
- [IOC, Milano Cortina 2026 advances sustainability](https://www.olympics.com/ioc/news/milano-cortina-2026-advances-sustainability-through-venue-reuse-clean-energy-and-circularity)
- [FIFA, Request for expressions of interest: temporary infrastructure](https://inside.fifa.com/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026/news/request-for-expressions-of-interest-providing-temporary-infrastructure-and)
- [FEMA, Schedule of Equipment Rates 2025](https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_pa_schedule-equipment-rates_2025.pdf)
- [legislation.gov.uk, Regulation (EU) 2016/1628 Annex II](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eur/2016/1628/annex/II)
- [eCFR, 40 CFR 1039.101](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-40/chapter-I/subchapter-U/part-1039/subpart-B/section-1039.101)
- [CARB, CARB PERP Tier 3 notice](https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/CARB/bulletins/3fa5de3)
- [Greater London Authority, Non-road mobile machinery](https://www.london.gov.uk//what-we-do/environment/pollution-and-air-quality/nrmm)
- [US EPA, RICE memo on Duke Energy regulatory interpretation](https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2025-05/rice-memo-on-duke-energy-regulatory-interpretation-04_17_25.pdf)

## How to cite

Douglas Insights, "Temporary Power Market", DI-EP-10866, updated 2026-11-06, https://www.douglasinsights.com/temporary-power-market/