Amusement and theme parks

Why does an amusement park need its own generator?

Amusement and theme parks are busiest in the evening and at night, when visitors and children fill the site. A power cut stops mechanical rides mid-cycle and leaves walkways in the dark, which is a visitor safety issue before it is an operating loss. Many parks are seasonal and set up on open land in winter or during the holidays, without a grid connection that can carry the load, so the generator becomes the main power source for the whole season. Operators therefore need generators sized carefully and a team that looks after them until the last day of the season.

How much generator capacity does an amusement park need?

Capacity depends on the number of rides and their motors, then on lighting, decorations, cooling and food stalls. Large motors draw far more current when they start than when they run, and the generator must handle that moment without a voltage dip. The table below shows typical values as a guide:

These are typical values only. We set the number of units and their exact capacity after a site survey and a load calculation for the rides and lighting, and we usually spread the load over more than one generator so the whole site does not stop if one unit needs servicing.

Is the generator the main supply or a standby?

At seasonal parks the generator is the main supply throughout opening hours, and we arrange refuelling outside visitor hours. Permanent parks connected to the grid need a standby generator with a transfer switch that starts it during an outage, so lighting and safety systems come back within seconds and staff can bring visitors down from the rides safely.

How is power laid out on a site open to visitors?

We place the generators in a service area away from visitor walkways and children’s queues, with enough space for ventilation and refuelling, and we run cables in a protected, tidy way that does not get in the way of visitors. Before opening we review the distribution boards and the connection point of every ride with the operations team.

What does the amusement park generator service include?

• New and used diesel generators for sale, or for daily and monthly rental for the season.
• A site survey and load calculation before installation.
• Delivery, installation and commissioning within 24 hours, with cables and transfer switches.
• Emergency maintenance and replacement of a rental unit that breaks down, within 24 hours.

Rental periods and options are explained on the generator rental page. Send us the park location, the list of rides and the length of the season, and we will send your quotation within an hour during working hours. Request a quote for your park.