How GE Vernova builds the massive gas turbines powering the AI data center boom

An inside look at GE Vernova's expansive gas turbine manufacturing facility in Greenville, South Carolina, reveals the ongoing surge in the artificial intelligence sector. Engineers and factory workers are collaborating to enhance the production of these intricate machines, with the company welcoming 200 new employees last year and planning to add another 300 by year’s end. The driving force behind this growth is the increasing demand from major tech firms, known as hyperscalers, including Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Oracle, who are vying for GE's advanced gas turbines. As AI data centers continue to expand, they require significant energy resources, leading these companies to seek reliable standalone energy solutions—gas turbines being a key option. Pablo Koziner, GE Vernova’s chief commercial and operations officer, highlighted the importance of these turbines, stating, "When you need power at scale and require reliable energy, industrial gas turbines are among the best solutions available." The interest from AI sector leaders and hyperscale executives in industrial design and power generation is palpable, with many visiting the factory to get a closer look at the turbines, which stand at an impressive 31 feet and weigh 280 tons. One turbine has the capacity to power approximately half a million homes. Microsoft recently procured seven turbines intended for a data center in Texas, generating a staggering 2.7 gigawatts of electricity—enough to serve around 3 million households. Additionally, GE Vernova turbines are already operational at Elon Musk's xAI Colossus 1 campus in Tennessee, with further deployments at OpenAI's Stargate project in Texas, as reported by Cleanview, an organization tracking data center developments. The demand for these turbines is unprecedented, with orders booked solid through 2029 and projections extending into 2030 and beyond. Currently, about 20% of GE Vernova's gas power orders cater to AI and data center applications. Each turbine comes with a hefty price tag, exceeding $250 million, and the cost has surged by 300% over the past three years, according to Melius analysts. This price increase reflects the rising capital expenditure budgets in AI, raising concerns among tech investors. Despite the financial windfall for GE Vernova, which has seen its stock rise nearly 60% in six months, challenges such as public opposition to data center expansion and environmental issues loom. In response, GE Vernova is actively working on enhancing the sustainability of its turbines. Koziner emphasized the company’s commitment to environmental responsibility, noting, "The turbines we are producing today are twice as efficient as those manufactured two decades ago."