Power When We Need It Most

Cat dealer Quinn Company providing back up power and negative pressure air conditioning systems for screening trailers for several healthcare customers in Southern California. Photo credit: Quinn Company

What do hospitals, distribution centers, grocery stores, gas stations and pharmacies have in common?

They’re all essential businesses to our daily life. And, they all need power to keep things going.

COVID-19 has highlighted the essential role hospitals, grocery stores, gas stations, pharmacies and distribution centers play in our daily lives. These establishments are important parts of our modern world and keeping people safe, fed and warm. And all these places need reliable and stable energy to operate – that’s where Caterpillar can help.

Our solutions help our customers build a better world. A world that needs our resources now more than ever. To be essential in a time of crisis means that no matter the question, the obstacle or challenge, there is really only one answer: Let’s Do the Work.

A Long History of Powering the World

Caterpillar started producing generators over 80 years ago, and the demand continues to grow. Our brands provide backup power to a diversified customer base. Diesel and natural gas engines provide prime power for electric utilities, combined heat and power for industrial customers, and critical standby power for hospitals, data centers and other businesses that can’t afford to be without power.

We’ve Got Our Customers’ Back – and They’ve Got Ours

Around the world, hospitals are ramping up capacity in unique ways, grocery stores are stretching to meet the increased demand for food, and rail, transportation and logistics companies are working day and night to get food, medical supplies and other essential goods where they are needed. Our equipment and customers are part of the front-line supporting communities around the world.

At Caterpillar, we’re rallying together to help our customers and dealers keep these critical operations running.

Thank you for doing the work to make it happen!

Backup Power for Hospitals and the Healthcare Industry

As hospitals and medical facilities set up to provide critical care during these challenging times, many of them are relying on our power solutions to keep the lights on and keep life-saving medical equipment running.

You can learn more how our brands power some of the world’s largest hospitals in case studies on cat.com, solarturbines.com and perkins.com.

Throughout our history, we’ve played unique roles in world events. This pandemic is no different. Our customers don’t run away from crisis when times get tough, and neither do we. They’re helping keep the world running during the crisis and we’re committed to serving them where and when they need it, to telling their stories and celebrating their victories.

Although the events surrounding the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic continue to evolve, our dedication to the safety, health and well-being of the Caterpillar team, our business partners and the communities they serve remains unchanged.

In 2001, Caterpillar shipped 760 megawatts of electrical generating power to Brazil as part of a massive project to relieve electric power shortages resulting from drought-stricken hydroelectric plants.

A Look Back: The Need for Constant Power

In the early 2000s, countries around the world started experiencing power shortages, which resulted in rolling blackouts and total interruptions. This energy crisis resulted in hospitals and police departments using Cat® generators for emergency power, as well as manufacturers and large corporations installing on-site backup power.

Brazil was a country that experienced a significant issue with power interruptions. In 2001, the country depended on hydroelectric power for 90% of its electricity, but rainfall was sparse. Reservoirs that ideally should have been half full were at 34% capacity, resulting in a significant decrease in the country’s ability to supply power.

The lack of energy contributed to decreased factory output and families spending their evenings by candlelight. To resolve the issue and improve the long-term power infrastructure, Brazil turned to Caterpillar for the installation of an additional power source in Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil. It resulted in the largest electric power project ever undertaken by Caterpillar anywhere in the world.

Although a different challenge – it demonstrates the impact and importance of a consistent power supply on daily lives.