Rolls-Royce Installs Emergency Backup Power for Luxembourg’s European Commission

The European Commission in Luxembourg contracted Rolls-Royce to supply two mtu Series 4000 generator sets (gensets) to provide emergency backup power at the Jean Monnet 2 building complex, which were installed by Energolux in early October 2024. Each DS2750 genset has a maximum output of 2,640 kVA, using diesel fuel to deliver electrical power during grid outage events.

“We are proud that our mtu emergency gensets will help ensure the operational reliability of the European Commission,” said Vittorio Pierangeli, Vice President of Global Powergen at Rolls-Royce's Power Systems division. “This is further proof of the trust our customers place in the quality and reliability of our products and is fully in line with our strategy of providing products to secure critical infrastructure.”

The delivery of mtu-brand emergency gensets contributes to the European Union’s construction project, which is expected to be finalized in 2025. These backup power generators ensure that all essential and safety-related equipment inside the buildings, as well as technical systems, can operate uninterrupted in the event of an outage.

Jean Monnet 2

Jean Monnet 2 is intended to connect several of the European Commission’s currently dispersed offices, and will consist of a welcome pavilion, a 20-floor tower, and a lower, flat-roofed building.

Rendering of the Jean Monnet 2 building complex; image credit: Rolls-Royce

“The emergency backup gensets are characterized by their high reliability and efficiency,” said Alain Osuch, Directeur Commercial Travaux Neufs at Energolux. “This makes them the ideal solution for such critical applications.”

The buildings house approximately 3,700 employees and include modern office space, conference rooms, an auditorium, restaurants, fitness and health centers, and logistics areas. The new complex falls under the European Commission’s renovation and expansion project.

More Rolls-Royce News

In late February 2025, Rolls-Royce signed a long-term power purchase agreement with Stadtwerke Ulm/Neu-Ulm (SWU): It will obtain approximately 20,000 MWh of CO₂-free electricity over five years, generated entirely from the Donaustetten hydropower plant. By using sustainable electricity from Ulm, Rolls-Royce reduces its total greenhouse gas emissions by around 7,000 tons annually.

The company is working with partners to increase the feed-in of renewable electricity for the Friedrichshafen, Augsburg, and Aiken/USA plants and their local microgrids. These grids are already equipped with photovoltaic systems connected to battery containers and combined heat-and-power plants, delivering efficient energy supply. In Friedrichshafen, two solar parks near the Rolls-Royce Power Systems headquarters have been supplying CO₂-free electricity since 2022:

• Ilmensee (1.6 MWp)
• Tengen (3.6 MWp)

Last week, Rolls-Royce finalized the rollout of its upgraded mtu Series 1600 generator sets, delivering up to 40% more power than their predecessors. The latest release covers the 50 Hertz version, following the 60 Hertz variant introduced in late 2023. With electrical output ranging from 590 to 996 kVA, the new gensets are designed for a wide range of applications, including data centers, healthcare facilities, commercial buildings, and hybrid or microgrid installations.

The 50 Hz version features a power increase of up to 40%, reaching up to 1,000 kWm, making the 12V1600 Gx1 engine the highest power density option in its class. It delivers high load acceptance and maintains almost full power output in extreme environmental conditions, including high temperatures and humidity. Orders have already been placed for emergency power solutions across the U.S. and Europe, serving various sectors such as hospitals, entertainment venues, and ski resorts.