Rolls-Royce is making a major investment in the United States, announcing a $75 million expansion of its engine manufacturing plant in Aiken, South Carolina. This move marks a significant step in the company’s broader strategy to support the fast-growing energy infrastructure sector, particularly in response to rising demands from the American data center industry.
The investment will increase production of the mtu Series 4000 diesel engines, which are vital for backup power systems in critical facilities such as data centers, hospitals, and other infrastructure hubs. These engines have become increasingly important as digitalization and AI adoption drive a surge in data processing and storage needs across the country.
Adam Wood, managing director for Rolls-Royce’s Power Systems division in America, stated that the expansion will not only boost capacity but also improve the company’s ability to serve U.S. customers more effectively. “This increased investment strengthens our ability to serve our U.S. customers — especially in the fast-growing American data center industry,” he said.
The South Carolina facility will become a central hub for the company’s North American power systems strategy, with the first phase of the expansion scheduled to begin in early 2026. Full production is expected to launch by July 2027.
As part of this effort, Rolls-Royce will shift some component manufacturing from Germany to the United States. Currently, many of the mtu Series 4000 engine parts are produced in Germany and shipped to the U.S. as finished goods. By machining more components domestically, the company aims to streamline production and support American manufacturing jobs.
The expansion is set to create at least 60 new positions at the Aiken facility, enhancing the region’s role in the nation’s energy manufacturing supply chain. “We are proud to support America’s growing demand for reliable, domestically made energy systems that strengthen our nation’s energy independence and security,” said Adam Riddle, CEO for Rolls-Royce North America.
This announcement comes on the heels of another major development for the company. A day earlier, a partnership between the United Kingdom and the Czech Republic was unveiled, focusing on small modular reactors (SMRs). Under that deal, Rolls-Royce could potentially export up to six SMRs to the Czech Republic, underlining its expanding role in both the traditional and emerging energy sectors.
