New and Used Diesel Generators for Sale
USP&E Diesel Generator Inventory at a Glance
- Total diesel inventory: 500+ MW
- Brands stocked: Caterpillar, Cummins, MTU, MAN, Perkins, Mitsubishi, SDMO, Volvo Penta, Deutz, John Deere, Stamford, Kohler, Bergen, Kipor
- Caterpillar models: 3508, 3512, 3516, 3608, 3616, C32, C175, 16CM32C
- Cummins models: KTA50, KTA38, QSK50, QSK60, C3000D6E
- MTU series: 2000 series, 4000 series, DS1000
- MAN models: 8L27/38, 9L28/32H
- Power range: 0.5 MW single set to 100 MW multi-unit power station
- Frequencies: 50 Hz and 60 Hz
- Configurations: Open set, enclosed, containerised, mobile trailer-mounted
- Condition: New, new surplus, used (low-hour)
- EPC delivery: 4 to 8 months single units, 9 to 14 months multi-unit power stations
- Compliance: ISO 9001:2015, ISO 45001:2018, OFAC and FCPA compliant
Diesel generators remain the fastest-to-deploy option for prime, standby, peaking and mobile power generation globally. USP&E holds one of the broadest independent inventories of diesel generators for sale, ranging from 0.5 MW single sets up to 100 MW multi-unit power station configurations, across both 50 Hz and 60 Hz, available in open, enclosed, containerised and trailer-mounted formats.
Our diesel generator inventory includes Caterpillar (3508, 3512, 3516, 3608, 3616, C32, C175, 16CM32C), Cummins (KTA50, KTA38, QSK50, QSK60, C3000D6E), MTU (2000 series, 4000 series, DS1000), MAN (8L27/38, 9L28/32H), Perkins (4006, 4016), Mitsubishi (S16R series), plus SDMO, Volvo Penta, Deutz, John Deere, Stamford, Kohler, Bergen and Kipor. Every unit is sourced directly from OEMs, banks, IPPs and asset owners with full documentation. No broker chain, no surprise condition issues.
USP&E is not a pure equipment dealer. We are an EPC and O&M contractor for diesel power plants in frontier markets, with particular depth in rapid-mobilisation diesel power for mining, oil and gas, emergency response, grid stability and data centre back-up. Since 2002 we have designed, built and operated more than 150 power stations across 45+ countries. Containerised packages deploy in 4 to 8 months. Airfreight available for urgent requirements. ISO 9001:2015 and 45001:2018 certified. Click Fast Quote on any listing below for a response within hours.
Diesel Generators by Manufacturer
USP&E stocks diesel generators for sale from the broadest range of OEMs of any independent inventory. Caterpillar diesel generators are the largest segment, with stocked models including 3512, 3516, 3608, 3616, C32, C175 and the 100 MW 16CM32C heavy-frame industrial. Cummins diesel generators cover KTA50, KTA38, QSK50, QSK60 and C3000D6E from 1 MW upward.
MTU diesel generators span the 2000 series (1-2 MW class), 4000 series (2-3 MW class) and DS1000 packages. MAN diesel generators include 8L27/38 and 9L28/32H industrial sets. Perkins stock covers 4006 and 4016 mid-megawatt class.
Mitsubishi S16R series rounds out the prime-power options. Industrial-class supplementary OEMs include SDMO, Volvo Penta, Deutz, John Deere, Bergen, Kohler and Stamford alternator-only sets.
Diesel Generators by Power Output
USP&E’s diesel generators for sale span the full power range:
- Under 1 MW (mobile, light industrial, standby): Cummins QST30-G5-NR1 (1 MW), Cummins KTA50-G3 (1.2 MW), Caterpillar 3512 variants (1 MW to 1.4 MW), MTU 16V2000 G865 (1 MW)
- 1 to 2 MW (small power station, mining, oil and gas): Caterpillar 3516 family (1.2 MW to 2 MW), Cummins KTA50-G15 (1.5 MW), Caterpillar 3516B-HD (2 MW), Mitsubishi S16R-Y1PTA-2 (1.7 MW), Perkins 4016 series
- 2 to 5 MW (mid-scale industrial, IPP): Cummins QSK60-G8 (2-2.1 MW), Caterpillar 3608 (2.5 MW), Caterpillar 3516C (2.5 MW), Caterpillar C175-16 (3 MW), Cummins C3000D6E (3 MW), Bergen B32 40L9ACD (4.3 MW)
- 50 to 100 MW (utility-scale heavy-frame): Caterpillar 16CM32C (100 MW) — for projects requiring greater than 100 MW from a single supplier, USP&E aggregates multiple units into complete diesel power stations under EPC contract
Diesel Generators by Configuration
USP&E delivers diesel generators for sale in four standard configurations. Open sets offer the lowest capex and are suited to permanent indoor installation in dedicated engine halls.
Enclosed sets include weather-protective canopies with integrated silencing, ideal for outdoor installation without civil works.
Containerised packages integrate the genset, fuel day-tank, control panel, switchgear and ventilation into a standard ISO container — ready to ship, plug-and-play deployment in 4 to 8 weeks.
Trailer-mounted mobile units add road-transportable wheels for rapid redeployment between sites, especially valuable for mining, emergency response and oil and gas exploration. All configurations available in both 50 Hz and 60 Hz.
Diesel Generators by Frequency
USP&E stocks diesel generators for sale in both 50 Hz and 60 Hz, plus selected dual-frequency 50/60 Hz switchable units (Caterpillar 3512 and 3516 variants). 50 Hz units serve Europe, Africa, Middle East, most of Asia and Oceania. 60 Hz units serve the Americas, Korea, parts of Japan and Saudi Arabia industrial. USP&E also offers frequency conversion engineering for buyers redeploying a unit to a different grid system.
Diesel Power Plant EPC and O&M Services
USP&E delivers complete turnkey diesel power plants under engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts. Single-unit installations typically deploy in 4 to 8 months from deposit; multi-unit power stations in 9 to 14 months.
Our in-house engineering teams handle site survey, FEED engineering, equipment procurement, frontier-market logistics including airfreight for urgent deployments, civil and mechanical installation, electrical and instrumentation, commissioning and grid synchronisation.
Beyond EPC, USP&E provides long-term operations and maintenance contracts for diesel power plants. Documented O&M results on existing client sites include 95% plant availability and significant cost reductions per engine through proactive maintenance regimes. ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 45001:2018 certified.
Diesel Generator Buying Guide
Buying a used diesel generator requires technical due diligence beyond just the price tag. Key inspection points include: engine running hours (well-maintained industrial diesel engines reach 30,000 to 60,000 hours before major overhaul, with Caterpillar 3500 and CM32 series capable of 80,000+ hours under proper care); last major overhaul date and scope; cylinder head and piston ring condition; turbocharger inspection records; fuel injection system condition; alternator winding insulation test results; cooling system condition; control panel and AVR functionality; emissions compliance (Tier 4, Stage V, IMO Tier III where relevant); and physical condition of the genset, canopy and base frame.
USP&E inspects every used diesel generator before listing and provides a documented technical condition summary with each Fast Quote response.
Diesel Power Plant Balance of Plant
A complete diesel power station requires balance-of-plant (BOP) infrastructure beyond the generator set itself. USP&E’s EPC scope includes diesel fuel storage tanks (sized for 7 to 30 days of operation), fuel polishing systems, lube oil storage and treatment, cooling systems (radiator-based or with cooling towers for larger plants), exhaust systems (silencers, SCR for NOx where required, stack monitoring), transformers (step-up to medium voltage), switchgear and synchronisation panels, civil works (foundations, engine hall or containerised footprint, fuel bund), fire detection and suppression, and plant control and SCADA. For containerised single-unit deployments, most BOP is integrated. For multi-unit stations, BOP typically adds 20-40% on top of the generator set cost.
USP&E Diesel Project Track Record
Mali: 100+ MW Mining Power Plant Recovery (2021 to present). USP&E recovered a critical-condition 100+ MW power plant for a major mining operation, taking over from a previous O&M contractor. The fleet of 15 Caterpillar CM32 reciprocating engines (8CM32, 12CM32 and 16CM32 variants) suffered severe limestone scale, turbocharger inefficiencies, contaminated fuel and lube oil, and corroded pistons. USP&E delivered 95% plant availability and 66% cost reduction per engine within the contract period. Read case study.
Mine Power Generation, South Africa. USP&E has delivered diesel power generation for mining operations across South Africa, including primary, standby and peaking duty configurations. Read case study.
Rapid-deployment diesel power across emergency response, oil and gas, and grid stability projects in 45+ countries since 2002.
Diesel vs HFO vs Natural Gas Generators
| Factor | Diesel | HFO | Natural Gas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capital cost per MW | Lowest | Highest | Mid |
| Fuel cost per kWh | Mid | Lowest (residual fuel) | Lowest where pipeline gas available |
| Speed to deploy | Fastest (4-8 months) | Slowest (9-14 months) | 9-14 months |
| Engine speed | Medium-fast (1500-1800 rpm) | Slow (500-750 rpm) | Medium-fast (1000-1800 rpm) |
| Typical lifetime | 20-25 years | 25-30 years | 20-25 years |
| Emissions | Mid (better with Tier 4) | Highest | Lowest |
| Fuel infrastructure | Standard diesel tanks | Heated tanks, separators | Pipeline or LNG |
| Best application | Peaking, mobile, backup, fast deploy | Baseload, low fuel-cost markets | Where gas exists |
Diesel is the right choice when speed to power matters more than long-term fuel cost, when the duty cycle is intermittent (peaking, standby, backup), when the site is remote or mobile, or when low capital expenditure outweighs lifetime operating cost.
Diesel Generator FAQ
Where can I buy diesel generators for sale?
USP&E offers one of the world’s broadest independent inventories of diesel generators for sale, ranging from 0.5 MW to 100 MW per package. Brands available include Caterpillar, Cummins, MTU, MAN, Perkins, Mitsubishi, SDMO, Volvo Penta, Deutz, John Deere, Bergen, Kohler and Kipor. All units are sourced directly from OEMs, banks, IPPs and asset owners. No broker chain.
What diesel generator brands and models does USP&E sell?
USP&E stocks Caterpillar (3508, 3512, 3516, 3608, 3616, C32, C175, 16CM32C), Cummins (KTA50, KTA38, QSK50, QSK60, C3000D6E), MTU (2000 series, 4000 series, DS1000), MAN (8L27/38, 9L28/32H), Perkins (4006, 4016), Mitsubishi S16R series, plus SDMO, Volvo Penta, Deutz, John Deere, Bergen, Stamford and Kohler. Stock rotates regularly.
What is the difference between new and used diesel generators?
New diesel generators are factory-fresh with manufacturer warranties, zero accumulated runtime, and full OEM support. Used diesel generators have prior operating hours and offer significant capital savings, typically 40-70% below new pricing. USP&E inspects every used diesel generator before listing and provides a technical condition report with each Fast Quote. The right choice depends on project budget, duty cycle and required asset life.
What configurations are available: open set, enclosed, or containerised?
USP&E delivers diesel generators in four configurations. Open sets are the lowest-capex option, suited to indoor installation in dedicated engine halls. Enclosed sets include weather-protective canopies with integrated silencing for outdoor installation. Containerised packages integrate the genset, fuel day-tank, control panel and switchgear into a standard ISO container for plug-and-play deployment. Trailer-mounted mobile units add road-transportable wheels for rapid redeployment.
What is the smallest and largest diesel generator USP&E offers?
USP&E’s diesel generator inventory ranges from 0.5 MW single sets up to 100 MW per package (Caterpillar 16CM32C heavy-frame industrial). Mid-range mobile and containerised units typically span 1 MW to 3 MW. For projects requiring greater than 100 MW from a single supplier, USP&E aggregates multiple units into complete diesel power stations under one EPC contract.
Can diesel generators be converted between 50 Hz and 60 Hz?
Many of USP&E’s stocked Caterpillar 3512 and 3516 variants ship as dual-frequency 50/60 Hz switchable. For dedicated single-frequency units, conversion is possible by re-engineering the alternator winding configuration, modifying engine governing and verifying mechanical resonance. USP&E offers frequency conversion engineering for buyers redeploying a unit to a different grid system.
How fast can USP&E deliver and install a diesel power station?
USP&E delivers single-unit diesel installations in 4 to 8 months from deposit, and multi-unit power stations in 9 to 14 months. Containerised packages from existing stock can deploy faster, with airfreight available for urgent requirements such as emergency response, post-disaster grid stability or fast-track mining startup. Lead time depends on site conditions, customs and logistics complexity.
What is the cost per MW installed for a diesel power station?
Cost per MW installed for a diesel power station typically ranges from US$300,000 to US$700,000 per MW for new builds, depending on site conditions, balance-of-plant scope, configuration (open, enclosed, containerised) and grid interconnection complexity. Used diesel power stations can come in significantly lower. USP&E provides project-specific cost estimates as part of every Fast Quote response.
Does USP&E offer EPC and O&M services for diesel power plants?
Yes. USP&E delivers complete EPC contracts for new and refurbished diesel power plants in single-unit and multi-unit configurations, with typical 4 to 14 month delivery from deposit. Beyond EPC, USP&E provides long-term operations and maintenance contracts. Documented O&M results on existing client sites include 95% plant availability and 66% cost reduction per engine. ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 45001:2018 certified.
Where does USP&E ship diesel generators?
USP&E ships diesel generators globally, with deep operational experience in frontier markets across Africa, the Middle East, Asia and South America. We have built more than 150 power stations in 45+ countries since 2002. Our logistics teams handle freight, customs clearance, project cargo, airfreight for urgent requirements and inland transport including challenging final-mile logistics to remote mining, oil and gas, and grid-deficient sites.