FTAI Aviation has announced the launch of FTAI Power, a new platform designed to convert CFM56 aircraft engines into aeroderivative gas turbines for power generation. The initiative is aimed at delivering a flexible, cost-efficient and scalable source of reliable electricity for data centres worldwide, addressing surging global demand for power. Production of the new power turbines is expected to begin in 2026.
FTAI believes it is uniquely positioned to bring this offering to market, given its status as one of the largest owners and aftermarket maintenance providers of the CFM56 engine. The CFM56 is the most widely produced and proven commercial jet engine globally, making it well suited for aeroderivative conversion and life extension beyond aviation use.
Joe Adams, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of FTAI Aviation, said the scale and reliability of the CFM56 market made it an ideal foundation for a new power solution. He highlighted FTAI’s more than one million square feet of global maintenance facilities and its multi-billion-dollar engine portfolio as providing unmatched capabilities. After more than a year of development, the company plans to begin production of the FTAI Power aeroderivative using a proprietary conversion architecture designed to offer the market a credible alternative as electricity demand reaches unprecedented levels.
David Moreno, Chief Operating Officer, said FTAI Power is founded on the conviction that the future is electric and that the CFM56 engine can play a pivotal role in meeting global energy needs. He noted that rapidly accelerating demand from AI hyperscalers has created an urgent requirement for immediate, flexible power solutions. FTAI expects its platform to become a key partner to the AI economy, which requires vast amounts of electricity delivered faster and in more adaptable formats than traditional-generation models can provide.
FTAI Power is redefining the future application of the CFM56 by extending its life as an aeroderivative gas turbine. The converted engine will deliver a 25-megawatt power unit, offering grid operators greater flexibility and more precise output control compared with larger-scale turbines. With more than 22,000 CFM56 engines produced globally, the platform also provides a highly scalable alternative at a time when power-hungry industries face multi-year backlogs for new-generation capacity.
The company is leveraging the maintenance infrastructure originally built to support the world’s largest aircraft engine market to remanufacture CFM56 core turbines and integrate aeroderivative components. By combining an existing fleet of more than 1,000 engines with a strong future supply pipeline, FTAI expects to produce power turbines predictably and cost-effectively. The platform is designed to support production of over 100 units per year, alongside modular service solutions intended to maximise uptime and long-term reliability for power customers.
