Industrial Diesel Generator hire

Our diesel generators range in size from 30 to 2100 kVA and are available in either a soundproofed canopy or 20-ft ISO container for enhanced security, durability and easy transportation by road, rail, sea or air.

Modular in design, our diesel generators for hire packages can be scaled up or down to give you the voltage and power you need. We can combine our diesel generators in different ways to deliver the exact amount of power for your site. If your power demands fluctuate, we’ll design a load-on-demand set-up where our portable diesel generators automatically turn on and off to meet the site’s load demands. This means we only provide the power you need when using our diesel generator rental service, saving on fuel, emissions and costs.

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Our team of experts are on hand 24 hours a day, every day to help deliver your project. From an emergency 20 kVA road-tow generator, to a high voltage commissioning project, we have the know-how to make things happen and can quickly and efficiently solve your issues with our diesel generator hire services.

Diesel generators with industry leading design

We design and build our generators at our ISO9001:2008 accredited manufacturing facility in Scotland. This means we’re continually finding ways to make them cleaner, quieter and more efficient. They’re also accredited, so you can be sure they meet the strictest safety and emission standards.

We’ve taken care of environmental concerns too, with industry-leading soundproofing and emission control that meets all standards, and fully bunded fuel tanks to eliminate leaks.

We house our diesel generators in either a soundproofed canopy, or enclose them in custom-designed 20-ft standard ISO containers – for enhanced security, durability and easy transportation by road, rail, sea or air.

Aggreko diesel generators utilise remote monitoring technology to ensure 24/7 equipment surveillance and maximise uptime.

From our Remote Operations Centre, our team of engineers keep watch on a range of parameters, including loads, maintenance requirements, warning and failure alarms and GPS locations. When equipment functions outside these boundaries, they respond quickly before the problem develops, or rapidly deploy resources to resolve the issue on-site.

Leave the hassle of fuel management to us. Our competitively priced fuel management service ensures you get regular fuel deliveries to keep your diesel generators for hire up and running. We schedule times that won’t interrupt your operations and use specialist vehicles to reach your equipment, no matter the terrain.

How efficient are diesel generators?

Diesel generators are the most efficient when they are running at their optimum operational range (around 80% of their total load capacity). At optimal load, their Net Electrical Fuel Efficiency is around 40%. 

Diesel engines are more efficient than petrol and gas engines due to the ability to operate at higher compression and expansion ratios. 

How much diesel does a generator use?

Fuel consumption of the generator depends not only on its size and the operating load, but also on how efficient the model of generator is, how many auxiliary loads (e.g. container fans, fuel pump & control system) are powered by the generator, and how well is the generator maintained / serviced. As a rule of thumb, a diesel generator uses 0.25L of fuel for every electrical kWh produced. For example, a small, 20kVA canopy generator uses, on average, 4 to 5L/h of diesel at 75% prime power 50Hz electrical output, while a larger 1500kVA containerised generator would consume 238L/h at 75% prime power at 50Hz electrical output, or 267L/h at 60Hz. 

How long can a diesel generator run continuously?

Diesel generators can run for hundreds of hours non-stop, provided the following conditions are met:

1. Consistent supply of fuel (otherwise, fuel tank capacity will be limiting the run time)
2. Constant monitoring as per the preventative maintenance plan. 
3. Servicing requirements are met. Most Aggreko diesel generators have service intervals ranging from 250-400 hours - this would include visual inspection, testing, changing of oil and oil filters.

Can biodiesel be used in diesel generators?

The combustion of diesel fuel releases greenhouse gases and pollutants. Alternative fuels could be a more sustainable alternative to diesel, and this approach to reduction of GHG is very attractive as it does not require extensive investments. Diesel generators can run on a variety of fuels, including HVO (renewable diesel), synthetic diesel, and biodiesel. 

When replacing diesel with biodiesel, please note that diesel generators manufacturers’ guidelines and recommendations for service intervals and maintenance requirements are specific to their equipment. These guidelines may include details on maintenance tasks such as filter replacements, oil changes, and general inspections. It's important to adhere to these recommendations to ensure optimal performance and longevity of the generator in use.

What size generator do I need?

To determine the size of the generator you would need to rent, you need to take into account the total power requirements of all the equipment you need to run simultaneously, the maximum starting wattage of the most energy demanding equipment, and the ideal usage of a generator running at 80% of its capacity. 

The maximum size of the generator that can be used in your application depends on the maximum current ratings on the switchboard. If unsure, contact your electrician. 

Do I need a single phase or 3-phase generator?

The choice between a single-phase or 3-phase generator depends on the power requirements of the electrical loads you plan to power. If you only need power tools that require single phase, you can still use a 3-phase generator and use a distribution board to break the power down to single-phase outputs to match your equipment. 

3-phase generators are designed for larger electrical loads such as commercial buildings, data centres, and industrial applications. They provide higher voltage and can handle loads up to hundreds of kilowatts or megawatts. If you plan to power heavy machinery or large industrial equipment, a 3-phase generator is necessary. 

Can I connect solar panels to the generator?

While you can use solar panels in conjunction with the generator, you would need an energy storage or an inverter for the system to operate correctly. It’s important to understand that solar panels generate direct current (DC) while a generator provides alternating current (AC power). 

Can I replace the generator with the battery?

Battery storage systems are great when combined with a generator to dramatically reduce fuel usage and carbon dioxide emissions. However, being a storage system, they require an energy source, either renewable (solar panels or wind turbines) or a generator, for recharging. If the battery is idle for a prolonged period of time, it will lose a considerable amount of power (self-discharge) and won’t be able to provide power.