Rolls-Royce Launches 50-Hz mtu Series 1600 Genset
The engines and associated cooling systems will be available for purchase by independent OEMs for integration into their own genset designs.
Rolls-Royce has 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.
50-Hz mtu Series 1600 genset; image credit: Rolls-Royce
Standards & Certifications
The mtu Series 1600 gensets are certified for synthetic diesel fuels meeting the EN 15940 standard, such as hydrotreated vegetable oil, which can reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 90%. These sustainable fuels also offer improved storage stability and cleaner combustion, particularly in reducing particulate emissions.
“At the heart of these gensets is the mtu Series 1600 engine, which we have further developed in terms of performance, flexibility, life-cycle costs, and sustainability for the new generation, and with which we are setting new standards,” said Tobias Ostermaier, President of the Stationary Power Solutions division at Rolls-Royce Power Systems. “Serving a wide variety of applications in the lower end of our power range, the Series 1600 will expand our position in the power generation market, as part of our growth strategy to support the world’s power needs.”
The new mtu Series 1600 engines meet Performance Class G3 requirements and surpass ISO 8528 ratings for emergency standby power and prime power. With load factors of up to 100% for data centers, the gensets comply with the reliability requirements for Tier III and Tier IV data centers.
More Rolls-Royce News
In early January 2025, Rolls-Royce installed, tested, and verified 10 mtu Series 4000 L64 FNER gensets at the Egyptian Wood Technology Co.’s (WOTECH) production plant in Beheira Province, Egypt. Without access to the public grid, WOTECH uses the 20-cylinder gas gensets—each rated at 2,500 kW for a 25-MW total capacity—to produce medium-density fiberboard (MDF) from rice straw. These gensets can operate up to 84,000 hours prior to major overhaul.
The company partnered with Engineering for Industries Co. and the Egyptian Maintenance Company to provide the gensets, controls, and related accessories for the WOTECH project, founded and supported by capital from Egypt’s petroleum ministry.
The production plant avoids burning rice straw—a byproduct of rice cultivation—by repurposing straw into MDF. The rice straw replaces wood as a raw material in MDF, which is used to make cabinets, doors, furniture and commercial and residential buildings. It is the second plant of its kind globally and the first in Africa, notably minimizing air pollution and CO2 emissions in Egypt.
