Most African power projects need both speed and long-term standardisation. Used turbines deliver speed. New turbines deliver standardisation and the latest designs. The best master plans use each where it fits.
Used gas turbines: verify first
Verified used and surplus turbines from USP&E inventory can deliver power months or years sooner than a new order. Verification means clear ownership, documented history, inspection and, where needed, refurbishment before shipping. Read more about used gas turbines.
New gas turbines: standardise and reserve slots
New turbines give you full OEM support, current designs and a fleet that is the same machine at every phase. The new modular FX-45 is available with capacity slots from 2028. Read more about new gas turbines.
Decision matrix
| Question | Used or surplus | New |
|---|---|---|
| Need power within months? | Strong fit | Usually too slow |
| Long-term fleet standard? | Possible, case by case | Strong fit |
| Budget pressure now? | Lower upfront cost | Higher upfront cost |
| Lender requirements? | Needs full records | OEM warranty helps |
Sequence used and new on one plan
- Map load growth and redundancy over ten years.
- Energise phase one with verified available units.
- Reserve space, grid capacity and fuel for later blocks.
- Order or reserve new units for the growth phases.
- Keep voltage, frequency and controls consistent across all phases.
- Run the whole fleet under one O&M programme.
Logistics and gas
Heavy lifts, ports and wet-season roads affect both paths. So does gas: confirm supply before committing, and use dual-fuel units or a diesel bridge if gas is late.
Proof from recent work
Data centres · USA
Major US hyperscale developers
USP&E refurbished 7 GE Frame 6Bs to zero hours in-house for major US hyperscale developers.
Gas turbines · Saudi Arabia
NEOM
USP&E supplied three zero-hour Siemens SGT-400 gas turbines.
Mining · Mali
Barrick Gold, Loulo-Gounkoto
USP&E refurbished the 104 MW power station, rebuilding more than 80 MW of Caterpillar CM32 engines and adding new zero-hour capacity.
Plan your growth phase with FX-45
If your load will grow in phases, plan the later blocks now. FX-45 is USP&E’s new modular gas turbine, built for hyperscale and industrial growth: 45 MW in open cycle and 108 MW in a 2×1 combined-cycle block, configurable for 50 Hz or 60 Hz, with capacity slots from 2028.
Start on available equipment today, reserve the pad, interconnection and fuel capacity, and the FX-45 phase plugs in instead of starting over. See FX-45 at a glance.
Why owners choose USP&E
USP&E is a full-service engineering, EPC and O&M company, not a broker. One team designs, builds and runs your plant, so nothing falls between contracts.
Common questions
Should we choose used or new gas turbines?
Used units suit fast timelines and tighter budgets; new units suit long-term standardisation. Many projects use both.
What makes a used turbine safe to buy?
Verified ownership, complete records, inspection, refurbishment where needed and installation under a proper EPC contract.
Can a remanufactured Frame 6B be part of the plan?
Yes. USP&E remanufactures GE Frame 6B units to zero hours in-house.
Who owns EPC across both?
USP&E can deliver EPC and O&M across used and new phases as one programme.
Facing a power challenge in Africa?
Tell us your load, fuel and timeline. An engineer will come back with options, not a sales pitch.