22 kVA Cummins Generator for Telecoms at a UK Solar & BESS Site

Global Generators supplied a Cummins C22D5Q 22 kVA silent generator for critical telecoms at a new 40 MW solar and 50 MWh BESS site in Hertfordshire, UK.

A Cummins C22D5Q 22kVA 3 phase silent canopied diesel generator on-site at a new solar & BESS facility under construction in Hertfordshire, UK to power the site's critical telecoms infrastructure

13th Aug 2026|Written by Sam Dexter

Standby power for critical telecoms at a Hertfordshire energy site

The UK is adding renewable capacity at pace, and battery energy storage is a big part of that shift. Solar farms generate clean power during the day. Battery storage holds that energy and releases it when the grid needs it most.

A key UK provider of turnkey electrical engineering solutions came to us for a generator for one such project. The company delivers end-to-end HV and LV electrical infrastructure for major schemes. This one is a new solar PV and BESS (battery energy storage system) site currently being built in Hertfordshire.

Once operational, the site will have 40 MW of solar generation capacity and 50 MWh of battery storage. That is enough to power around 80,000 homes for two hours during periods of peak demand on the grid. The generator we supplied will provide emergency standby power for the site's critical telecoms infrastructure.

The equipment supplied

We supplied a single Cummins C22D5Q diesel generator, a compact 3 phase set housed in a weatherproof acoustic canopy.

Specification:

  • Model: Cummins C22D5Q
  • Standby rating: 22 kVA / 18 kW
  • Prime rating: 20 kVA / 16 kW
  • Output: 400V 3 phase, 50Hz at 1500rpm
  • Engine: Cummins X2.5-G2
  • Alternator: Stamford S0L2G1
  • Controller: Cummins PowerStart 0600
  • Fuel tank: 55 litres, giving up to 9.8 hours at 100% standby-rated load
  • Build: canopied, 65 dB(A) at 7m
  • Application: emergency standby power for critical telecoms infrastructure

Why telecoms need standby power on an energy site

Solar and battery storage sites rely on constant communication. Telecoms links typically carry the monitoring, control and data traffic that let operators see and manage what is happening on site. If those links go down during a mains failure, visibility of the site can be lost at exactly the wrong moment.

A standby generator guards against that risk. It waits in reserve and carries the essential load until the mains supply returns. Sizing the set around the critical telecoms load, rather than the whole site, keeps both the purchase price and the running costs sensible.

The C22D5Q is well matched to the task. Its PowerStart 0600 controller supports automatic mains failure (AMF) operation, remote start and Modbus communications, with fault logging and maintenance reminders built in. An integrated coolant heater helps reliable starting in cold weather, and the canopy protects the set from the elements. As a standby set, it is backed by Cummins' 2 year / 500 hour standby warranty.

Why customers choose Global Generators

  • Authorised Cummins CPG reseller - the UK's best pricing on Cummins diesel generators, backed by our Best UK Cummins Diesel Generator Prices guarantee
  • A leading stockist - a wide range of generators held in our own physical inventory, so project deadlines are met without waiting on a factory build slot
  • Over 50 years of combined experience - we help electrical contractors match the right set to each site's critical loads
  • Fast delivery across the UK and efficient global export - one site or a full programme of projects, at home or overseas

Protecting critical systems on a renewable energy site?

Solar farm, battery storage site, substation or telecoms installation: our team will help you choose the right standby generator for your critical loads. We supply diesel generators from the UK, with fast nationwide delivery from stock and worldwide export available.

Talk to our power generation experts today. Call us, message us on WhatsApp, or send us an email, and we will get straight back to you to assist.

Headshot image of Sam Dexter - Digital Growth Engineer at Global Generators Ltd

About the author

Sam Dexter

Digital Growth Engineer

Sam is the Digital Growth Engineer at Global Generators, responsible for the company's digital presence and marketing strategy. He left college in 2017 for a digital marketing apprenticeship, learning the profession and the power generation industry side-by-side, and has spent the years since working across website development, SEO, paid advertising, content, analytics, automation and AI implementation. The years spent so close to the products has helped Sam build a genuine working knowledge of generator sets - ratings, applications, specifications and the questions customers actually need answering - which shapes everything he publishes. Since joining Global Generators in 2026 Sam now works at the intersection of technology, marketing and operations - improving online visibility and finding smarter ways to reach and support customers.