How to Buy a Used Gas Turbine: Complete Buyer's Guide

Purchasing a used gas turbine is a significant investment that requires careful evaluation. Whether you're looking for a GE LM6000, Solar Titan 130 or a Siemens SGT-series, this guide covers everything you need to know to make an informed purchase decision.

Why Buy a Used Gas Turbine?

Used gas turbines offer significant cost savings compared to new equipment — typically 40-60% less than new OEM pricing — with substantially shorter lead times. While a new turbine can take 12-24 months for delivery, a used unit can be operational within weeks or months. This makes used turbines particularly attractive for:

• Projects requiring fast power deployment
• Budget-constrained operations maximizing capital efficiency
• Peak shaving and backup power applications
• Expanding existing facilities with compatible units
• Data center power generation requiring rapid deployment

Step 1: Define Your Requirements

Before searching for a turbine, clearly define your technical requirements:

• Required power output (MW or kWe) — including derating factors for altitude and ambient temperature
• Fuel type — Natural gas, diesel/liquid fuel, or dual fuel capability
• Application — Simple cycle, combined cycle, cogeneration (CHP) or mechanical drive
• Site conditions — Altitude, ambient temperature range and emissions standards
• Grid requirements — Frequency (50/60 Hz), voltage and interconnection standards
• Physical constraints — Available footprint, weight limits and noise restrictions

Step 2: Research Available Models

Each manufacturer and model has different characteristics. Here are the most common used gas turbines on the market:

General Electric (GE)

• LM6000 — 40-50 MW, aeroderivative, excellent for peaking and mid-range duty
• LM2500 — 20-30 MW, aeroderivative, proven marine and industrial applications
• Frame 5/6/6FA — 25-40 MW, heavy industrial units, rugged and long-lasting
• Frame 7E/9E/9FA — 80-200 MW, large utility-scale, suitable for combined-cycle

Siemens

• SGT-100 to SGT-400 — 5-15 MW, industrial, suitable for oil & gas and power generation
• SGT-500 to SGT-800 — 17-50 MW, industrial, high efficiency

Solar Turbines

• Titan 130 — 10-15 MW, industrial, rugged and reliable for continuous duty
• Mars 100 — 10-12 MW, popular for pipeline compression and power generation
• Centaur 40/50 — 3.5-5 MW, smaller footprint for distributed generation

Rolls Royce / Centrax

• Avon — 10-15 MW, aeroderivative, known for reliability
• RB211 — 25-30 MW, aeroderivative, high power density
• Allison 501-K — 3-5 MW, compact aeroderivative

Step 3: Inspection Checklist

Once you've identified a candidate turbine, a thorough inspection is critical. Here's our recommended checklist:

Document Review

• Operating hours (total, since last major overhaul, since last hot section inspection)
• Number of starts (total and recent)
• Maintenance logs and service records
• Major overhaul history (date, scope, replaced parts)
• Hot gas path inspection reports
• Borescope inspection videos and reports
• Original manufacturer documentation (OMM, drawings)
• Emissions test reports (if available)
• Load history (base load, peaking or cyclic operation)
• Fuel types used and fuel treatment records

Physical Inspection

• Compressor condition (blade tips, leading edges, coatings)
• Combustor and transition pieces
• Turbine blades and vanes (especially first and second stage)
• Hot section coating condition
• Bearing housing and vibration history
• Lube oil system and oil analysis reports
• Fuel system components (valves, nozzles, pumps)
• Control system (Mark V, Mark VI or other)
• Generator/excitation system condition
• Enclosure and auxiliary systems
• Evidence of corrosion or storage damage

Step 4: Evaluate Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)

Beyond the purchase price, consider these cost factors:

• Transport and logistics — Heavy-lift shipping, customs, insurance
• Installation and commissioning — Foundation work, alignment, balance-of-plant integration
• Spare parts availability — Check if critical spares are readily available for the model
• Service network — Is OEM or third-party service support accessible in your region?
• Control system upgrade — Older units may require control system modernization
• Emissions compliance — Dry low NOx (DLN) upgrades or SCR may be required

Step 5: Work with a Broker

A specialized gas turbine broker like Roy Power Specialist adds value to your buying process:

• Access to non-public inventory — Many turbines sell before being publicly listed
• Introduction to sellers — We connect you with sellers that match your requirements
• Market insight — We share our knowledge of market pricing to inform your negotiations
• Transaction facilitation — We facilitate introductions between buyer and seller; negotiations, inspections, logistics and payment are handled directly between parties
• Global sourcing — We help find the right unit wherever it may be in the world

Frequently Asked Questions

How many hours on a used gas turbine is too many?

This depends on the model, maintenance history and operating conditions. Many industrial turbines run 100,000+ hours with good maintenance. Key factors are time since last major overhaul and hot section condition rather than total hours alone.

Can I inspect a turbine before purchasing?

Yes. Reputable sellers and brokers facilitate inspections. This typically includes document review, a physical site visit and often a borescope inspection. At Roy Power Specialist, we connect buyers and sellers who then coordinate inspections directly between themselves.

How long does it take to buy and receive a used turbine?

Timeline varies but typically ranges from 4-12 weeks from initial inquiry to delivery, depending on location, logistics complexity and whether the unit is operational or in storage. This is significantly faster than the 12-24 months for new equipment.

What warranty do I get with a used turbine?

Warranty terms vary by seller. Some offer limited warranties on major components while others sell 'as-is, where-is'. A broker can help negotiate warranty terms and arrange third-party inspection for additional protection.

Can I get financing for a used gas turbine?

Yes, many lenders finance used power equipment. Documentation requirements typically include inspection reports, maintenance records and a valuation. Some brokers have relationships with financing partners familiar with the used turbine market.