AVK and Rolls-Royce Power Systems have agreed a five-year capacity partnership that will guarantee production slots for mtu Series 4000 generator sets. 

The deal between the two companies is structured under a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and sits alongside a parallel six-year master framework that designates AVK as the exclusive system integrator for mtu generator sets in the UK and Ireland until 2031.

Together, the two deals are intended to strengthen supply chain resilience, support future demand from the data centre sector and align the two companies more closely on technology roadmaps and decarbonisation programmes.

Five-year capacity framework and exclusive UK and Ireland role

The new MoU formalises what the companies describe as a ‘strategically integrated, longer-term alliance’, moving beyond the project-by-project relationship that has underpinned their recent work. Under the capacity framework, Rolls-Royce will increase committed supply for mtu Series 4000 gensets, while AVK will commit to defined order volumes over the five-year term.

In parallel, the six-year master framework confirms AVK as the exclusive system integrator for mtu generator sets across the UK and Ireland until 2031. That agreement sets out commercial terms, pricing, delivery lead times, compliance standards and anti-bribery obligations, positioning AVK as a key partner for turnkey, mission-critical power projects based on mtu technology.

The companies say the combined frameworks will tighten alignment on production planning, product development and go-to-market activities, with the aim of accelerating innovation and giving end users greater certainty over availability and lead times.

The announcement follows what AVK has previously described as a record year for joint activity in 2024, during which it delivered its 500th mtu generator from Rolls-Royce, with HVO-ready units primarily deployed into the data centre sector.

“We are pleased to have signed a Capacity Agreement and extended our System Integrator contract with AVK,” noted Vittorio Pierangeli, Senior VP Power Generation at Rolls Royce. 

“This agreement reflects the commitment from both parties to continue our collaboration and support the rapidly growing European Data Centre market. With this in place, we look forward to working closely together in the coming years.

“This is an exciting time for our industry, where innovation and collaboration are more important than ever. Technology shifts are accelerating, and the acceptance of alternative fuels is just one example of how the market is evolving. We are investing extensively to introduce our gas product range into this space, complementing our established diesel portfolio. With both diesel and gas solutions, as well as energy storage options, Rolls-Royce is uniquely positioned to meet future demands. Partners such as AVK will also be well placed to capitalize on these opportunities. We look forward to strengthening our partnership as the market continues to develop.”

Preparing for rising data centre demand

The data centre sector in the UK and Europe is forecasting significant growth over the coming years, driven by cloud, AI and digital infrastructure investment. That growth is sharpening focus on both capacity and resilience in backup power systems, with operators also under pressure to decarbonise their generation fleets.

Against that backdrop, AVK says the expanded agreement is designed to give large operators and contractors more confidence that projects specifying mtu technology can be delivered at scale and on time, even as demand accelerates. The frameworks also underline both companies’ intent to support a transition towards lower-carbon fuels and new powertrain technologies while maintaining the high availability required in mission-critical environments.

Ben Pritchard, CEO of AVK, said the new framework reflects how the partnership with Rolls-Royce has evolved from a conventional supplier relationship into a more deeply embedded collaboration.

“This is not simply about growth,” he said. “It’s about a much stronger, more enduring collaboration. With Rolls-Royce one of our valued technology partners, we have both achieved impressive growth individually as well as in our work together. Driving growth in innovative solutions on an international scale, our joint projects can be seen succeeding across Europe. We’re excited for this to develop even further.

“Our relationship with Rolls-Royce has evolved in an exciting way and this new multi-year capacity agreement secures access to equipment across the UK and Europe just as the data centre market is about to boom. The new framework puts us in a position where we have the industrial capacity to deliver technology in line with the growing demands of the market. This makes AVK a pivotal part of the coming energy transition. AVK and Rolls-Royce are positioned to deliver more than equipment – together we will provide integrated, future-proofed power solutions that combine industrial scale, sustainability and the delivery certainty required by today’s mission-critical operators.”