1000kW generators at a glance

• Rated 1000kW (1,250kVA) standby, typically about 900kW prime
• 1,504 amps at 480V, three-phase, or 173 amps at 4,160V medium voltage
• Burns about 52.1 gallons of diesel an hour at three-quarter load
• Sized for a hospital, a data center, a large manufacturing plant or a water treatment plant
• 60Hz units built for North American power
• New and used units in stock, shipping from Colorado, Florida and Texas

1000kW generators in stock now

One megawatt for hospitals, data centers and heavy industry

A 1MW generator carries a hospital campus, a data center hall, a large manufacturing plant or a municipal water treatment plant. At this size most sites also plan for paralleling, on-site fuel storage and a load bank test before commissioning.

Our 1000kW stock changes week to week. It usually runs from brand-new units to used standby sets from Cummins, Kohler, MTU, CAT and others, almost all diesel.

Every unit is ours. We buy and own our inventory outright, so we can tell you where a generator came from, how it was used and what our technicians found when they went over it. Units ship from our yards in Brighton, Jacksonville, Pensacola and Austin, and we can get them to a site anywhere in the contiguous US, with Canada and Mexico on request.

Not sure 1000kW is the right fit? Run your loads through our generator sizing calculator, or call and talk it through with someone who sizes these every day.

What a 1000kW generator can power

Typical buyers include:

• Healthcare: hospitals and medical campuses, including operating rooms, ICUs and imaging
• Data centers: server halls, UPS systems and the cooling plant behind them
• Manufacturing and industrial: large plants, process lines and heavy motor loads
• Water and municipal: water and wastewater treatment plants and large pump stations
• Mining, oil and gas, and utilities: remote prime power and peak shaving

Size for starting loads, not just running loads. Chillers, large pumps and UPS systems all shape the starting requirement at this size, so plan your load steps and transfer sequence with your engineer.

1000kW generator specs

A 1000kW standby generator is rated at 1,250kVA. Amps are three-phase at a 0.8 power factor, from our kVA, kW and amperage chart. Most 1MW sets run at 480V, and some are built for medium voltage such as 4,160V.

Voltage (three-phase)	Amps
480V	1,504
600V	1,203
4,160V	173
12,470V	58

Fuel use below is estimated from our fuel consumption charts. Actual use depends on the engine and site conditions.

Load	Diesel (gal/hr)	Natural gas (ft³/hr)
1/4	21.6	4,482
1/2	36.4	7,332
3/4	52.1	10,147
Full	71.1	12,780

How 1000kW compares with nearby sizes

Size	kVA	Amps at 480V	Amps at 4,160V	Diesel at 3/4 load (gal/hr)
750kW	938	1,128	130	39.3
1,000kW	1,250	1,504	173	52.1
1,250kW	1,563	1,879	217	65.0
1,500kW	1,875	2,255	260	77.8

1000kW spec sheet library

Spec sheets for the 1000kW models we see most often. Details can change by model year, so check the sheet against the nameplate on the exact unit you’re quoting. Need one that isn’t here? Ask and we’ll find it.

Brand	Model	Fuel	Spec sheet
CAT	C32 1000kW	Diesel	CAT C32 1000kW spec sheet (PDF)
Generac	SD1000	Diesel	Generac SD1000 spec sheet (PDF)
Generac	MD1000	Diesel	Generac MD1000 spec sheet (PDF)
Generac	MD1000 Gemini	Diesel	Generac MD1000 Gemini spec sheet (PDF)
Kohler	1000REOZMD	Diesel	Kohler 1000REOZMD spec sheet (PDF)
MTU	DS1000	Diesel	MTU DS1000 spec sheet (PDF)
Multiquip	CG1000C2	Diesel	Multiquip CG1000C2 spec sheet (PDF)
Multiquip	EGC-1000C	Diesel	Multiquip EGC-1000C spec sheet (PDF)
Multiquip	EGC-1000DD	Diesel	Multiquip EGC-1000DD spec sheet (PDF)

Browse every size in our full spec sheet library.

What’s included when you buy from us

• An inspection by our EGSA-certified technicians before the unit leaves our yard
• Load bank testing available, so you can see it carry a load before it ships
• Shipping to your site anywhere in the contiguous US, with Canada and Mexico on request
• Photos, the spec sheet and a walkaround video of the actual unit
• A deposit that holds your unit while you finalize, with a clear quote expiration date
• Service after the sale from our teams in Colorado, Florida and Texas

Watch our load bank testing

Before a unit ships we can put it on a load bank so you can see it carry load. Our YouTube channel has load bank runs on generators across the size range.

1000kW generator FAQ

How many amps does a 1000kW generator put out? At three-phase and a 0.8 power factor, a 1000kW generator delivers about 1,504 amps at 480V and 1,203 amps at 600V. At medium voltage it is about 173 amps at 4,160V. Your electrician will size the breaker and transfer switch from those numbers.

How much fuel does a 1000kW generator use? A diesel 1000kW unit burns roughly 36.4 gallons an hour at half load and 71.1 at full load. At three-quarter load that is about 1,250 gallons over 24 hours, so most sites plan a large base tank or a separate fuel tank. On natural gas, figure about 7,332 cubic feet an hour at half load and 12,780 at full load.

Is a 1000kW generator the same as 1,250kVA? Yes. Generators are usually rated at a 0.8 power factor, so 1000kW of real power equals 1,250kVA. You’ll see both numbers on spec sheets and nameplates.

What’s the difference between a standby and a prime rating? A standby rating is for backup power during outages. A prime rating is for running as the main power source for long stretches, and it’s often around 10% lower, so a 1000kW standby set may carry about 900kW prime. Check the spec sheet for each unit.

Can two smaller generators do the job of one 1000kW unit? Yes. Two 500kW units paralleled through switchgear can share a 1000kW load and give you redundancy if one goes down for service. The trade-off is the cost and complexity of the paralleling controls. We can help you compare both setups.

Should I buy new or used? Used units cost less and are often ready to ship now, while new units can carry a factory lead time. We stock both. Every used unit lists its hours and year, and we’ll send photos and a walkaround video of the actual generator before you commit.

How much does a 1000kW generator cost? Price depends on whether it’s new or used, its hours, brand, fuel type and enclosure. Tell us about your site and we’ll send pricing on every 1000kW unit that fits.

Can I rent a 1000kW generator instead? Yes. Our rental teams in Colorado, Florida and Texas can set you up for a short-term job, an event or while you wait on a permanent unit. See generator rentals.

More on 1000kW generators: 500kW to 1000kW Generator FAQ, 10 Key Benefits of Choosing a 1,000kW Generator, Case study: a 1000kW custom-contained power module.

Get pricing on a 1000kW generator

Tell us what you’re powering and when you need it, and we’ll send pricing on every 1000kW unit that fits. Call 877-866-6895, text us for a quote or request one online. Want to see the unit first? Ask for a walkaround video.