According to a research report, the construction of AIDCs is driving a surge in electricity demand, leading to a severe shortage of natural gas generators worldwide. Recently, some companies in the aero-engine supply chain, such as FTAI Aviation, have begun attempting to enter the gas turbine market. The report suggests that this new capacity will have a limited impact on the global supply-demand gap for gas turbines. Instead, it highlights the strong demand in the gas turbine industry, increases the certainty of orders for domestic gas turbine supply chain manufacturers, and presents investment opportunities. The main points of the report are as follows:

New entrants from the aero-engine supply chain are unlikely to alleviate the shortage of natural gas generators. The construction of AIDCs is driving a sharp increase in electricity demand, resulting in a significant global shortage of natural gas generators. The "2026 Gas Turbine Industry Development White Paper" indicates that the imbalance between global supply and demand for gas turbines will persist at least until 2030. Recently, some aero-engine supply chain companies, including FTAI Aviation, have started exploring entry into the gas turbine market. While some investors are concerned that this new capacity may hinder the overseas expansion of domestic gas turbine companies, the report argues that its impact on the global supply-demand gap will be limited. This situation further underscores the robust demand in the gas turbine industry, enhances order certainty for domestic gas turbine supply chain manufacturers, and creates investment opportunities.

Two new aero-derivative gas turbine models, Mod-1 and Superpower, are expected to have a limited effect on the gas turbine supply-demand gap. A recent marginal change in gas turbine supply involves some aero-engine supply chain manufacturers beginning to develop new models, which could lead to a short-term increase in gas turbine production capacity. On April 30, 2026, FTAI Aviation announced a strategic joint venture with Jereh to support the goal of producing 100 Mod-1 CFM56 aero-derivative gas turbine units by 2027. The Mod-1 model is a 25 MW aero-derivative gas turbine modified from the CFM56 series of aircraft engines already in operation. In December 2025, U.S. aerospace company Boom Supersonic announced that it would develop a 42 MW aero-derivative gas turbine called Superpower, based on the Symphony engine core, with the first customer orders scheduled for delivery in 2027. Based on the delivery guidance from these two manufacturers, their combined planned equipment orders for 2027 amount to approximately 3.7 GW. The report believes this represents a limited short-term increase, and from a medium- to long-term perspective, the sustainability of gas turbine capacity based on modified "second-hand" aircraft engines may face challenges. Currently, aircraft engine deliveries are also tight. According to Safran's annual report, orders for LEAP engines have exceeded 12,900 units. At the 2025 delivery rate of 1,802 units, the backlog would extend beyond 2032. Therefore, the report concludes that the supply-demand gap for gas turbines will remain substantial even after the launch of new aero-derivative models like Mod-1 and Superpower.

The ongoing global gas turbine shortage presents opportunities for domestic gas turbine manufacturers. The current prosperity of the domestic gas turbine industry is high. At the GTF2026 conference, a representative from Zhongke Guosheng stated that most of the company's confirmed and potential orders for 2026 are from overseas markets. Given the persistent global gas turbine shortage, the report believes that domestic gas turbines have the potential to capture global market share by leveraging advantages such as a complete supply chain, rapid delivery, and high cost-effectiveness, thereby accelerating the increase in the global market share of domestic gas turbines.

The introduction of new aero-derivative gas turbine models is expected to drive demand for gas turbine components, benefiting domestic gas turbine component manufacturers. From a technical perspective, converting an aircraft engine into an aero-derivative gas turbine involves steps such as structural modifications, performance adjustments, and component changes. For turbojet and turbofan engines, unnecessary components must be removed, while a power turbine is added (in some cases, the original low-pressure turbine of the aircraft engine is converted into a power turbine). Modifications to the compressor and turbine flow paths are most extensive for turbofan engines, requiring the removal of the fan, modification of the compressor, and corresponding adjustments to the turbine. Additionally, the combustion chamber generally requires redesign and testing. The report suggests that these equipment modifications are likely to boost demand for components such as gas turbine blades, benefiting domestic gas turbine component manufacturers.

Risks include macroeconomic fluctuations leading to lower-than-expected investment, delays in data center construction, and intensified competition in the gas turbine industry.