Wartsila CEO anticipates growth driven by Trump's datacenter initiative

Wartsila Anticipates Growth in U.S. Data Center Market

By Simon Jessop and Anne Kauranen

Wartsila, a Finnish energy firm, expects that the increasing trend for U.S. data centers to generate their own electricity will drive demand for its environmentally conscious products. According to CEO Hakan Agnevall, this shift is likely to result in a significant—double-digit percentage—rise in hiring for service roles over the next two years.

White House Engages Tech Giants on Energy Costs

The White House announced plans to meet with major technology companies, including Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta, on March 4. The goal is to develop strategies to shield consumers from higher energy bills as the need for power-hungry, AI-driven data centers continues to climb.

As the U.S. mid-term elections approach, the topic of data center energy consumption is gaining political attention, especially as concerns mount over environmental issues like water usage and pollution.

Wartsila’s Expansion and Environmental Edge

Wartsila projects that its capacity to supply engines for data centers will increase by 80% by 2028. Agnevall noted that the company has already secured contracts to provide approximately 1.2 gigawatts of power for these facilities, highlighting instances where their technology’s advantages played a decisive role in winning business.

Many data centers are turning to gas or diesel generators for backup power to reduce strain on the electrical grid. However, these systems can be resource-intensive, consuming significant amounts of fuel and water for cooling.

Wartsila’s closed-loop cooling system stands out by using up to 2,000 times less water than comparable gas turbines from competitors. Additionally, the company’s engines emit fewer pollutants and can reduce fuel expenses by 20–35%.

U.S. Data Center Boom Fuels Workforce Demand

Although Wartsila missed its fourth-quarter order expectations earlier in February, the company identified data centers as a key area of growth. The United States hosts about half of the world’s data centers, and expansion is expected to accelerate as businesses ramp up computing capabilities—intensifying competition for skilled workers.

Currently, about half of Wartsila’s revenue comes from servicing its installed engines, with around 1,000 employees based in the U.S. Agnevall anticipates that this workforce could grow by double digits over the next two years.

Call for More Vocational Training

To meet the rising demand for technical talent, Agnevall emphasized the importance of expanding vocational training programs in the U.S. “Everyone is searching for these skills,” he said. “There’s strong demand in the U.S., but supply remains limited. More vocational education is essential.”

Reporting by Simon Jessop and Anne Kauranen. Edited by Peter Graff.