Clarke Energy
British specialist in gas-engine power generation, distributed energy and combined heat and power systems.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
Clarke Energy is a British energy engineering and services company specializing in gas-engine power plants. Headquartered in Knowsley, Liverpool, it designs, supplies, installs and maintains generating stations for distributed-energy applications. Its work covers the full project lifecycle, from feasibility and system design through equipment supply, construction coordination, commissioning, operations support and long-term maintenance. The company’s principal technology relationship has historically been with INNIO’s Jenbacher and Waukesha gas-engine businesses. Gas engines supplied or supported by Clarke Energy can operate on a range of fuels and gases, including natural gas, biogas, landfill gas, coal-mine methane, synthetic gas, wood gas and associated petroleum gas. This enables the company to serve industrial and commercial customers seeking on-site electricity, heat recovery, energy resilience or lower-carbon generation. Clarke Energy’s activities are commonly associated with combined heat and power, also called cogeneration. In these systems, an engine generates electricity while recoverable heat is used by an industrial process, district-energy network or other facility. The company also works on renewable and waste-derived gas projects, where electricity generation is combined with the utilization of biogas from sources such as anaerobic digestion, landfill or agricultural and industrial waste. The business began in 1989 as a service operation for diesel engines founded by Jim Clarke. It moved into gas-engine distribution in 1995 when it became a distributor for Jenbacher gas engines in the United Kingdom. International expansion began in 1998, followed by additional distribution, engineering and service operations across Europe, Africa, Asia and Oceania. The company later became involved in projects using biogas, coal-mine gas and compressed natural gas, including early gas-to-power work in emerging markets. Clarke Energy expanded through a combination of territory awards, acquisitions and service-business integration. Its international portfolio came to include operations or distribution responsibilities in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, France, India, Ireland, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania and Bangladesh. The company also participated in projects connected with GE’s Ecomagination initiative, including biogas generation in India and coal-gas applications in Australia. Kohler acquired Clarke Energy in 2017. In 2024, Kohler Energy became a standalone business and adopted the Rehlko name, placing Clarke Energy within the Rehlko group. The Clarke Energy brand continues to represent gas-engine power-generation engineering, distribution and after-sales support. The company has reported a workforce of more than 1,500 people across a global network spanning 27 countries. Its present positioning combines established engine technology with project engineering, service capability and applications intended to improve energy efficiency, provide reliable on-site power and support renewable-gas generation.
History
Clarke Energy’s current business developed from an engine-service operation established by Jim Clarke in 1989. The original activity focused on servicing diesel engines, but the company moved toward gas-based distributed generation during the 1990s. In 1995 it became a distributor for Jenbacher gas engines in the United Kingdom, establishing the technology and commercial relationship that shaped much of its later development. International expansion began in 1998, when Clarke Energy extended its Jenbacher distribution territory to Australia, New Zealand and Nigeria. The company subsequently built a wider network through distribution appointments, acquisitions and the addition of local engineering and service capabilities. Its expansion reflected the growing use of gas engines for industrial cogeneration, standby and prime power, landfill-gas recovery, coal-mine methane utilization and other gas-to-power applications. After GE acquired Jenbacher in 2002, Clarke Energy became an authorized distributor and service provider for GE’s gas-engine business. The relationship supported the company’s work on projects using both conventional and renewable fuels. Clarke Energy was involved in early projects associated with GE’s Ecomagination initiative, including a biogas project in Punjab, India, and coal-gas generation projects in Australia. The company continued expanding during the 2000s. It acquired or integrated operations connected with Cogen India and Jenbacher France, gained distribution rights in Ireland, Tunisia, Algeria and Tanzania, and developed further positions in South Asia and Africa. In 2013 it acquired Orient Energy Systems Bangladesh, Agaricus Trading and GE’s South African Jenbacher gas-engine service business. These moves extended its presence into Bangladesh, South Africa, Botswana and Mozambique. Additional territory awards during the 2010s covered countries including Cameroon, the United States, Papua New Guinea, Morocco, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Ghana and Ivory Coast. Distribution rights for Romania and Greece followed in 2018. Clarke Energy’s application portfolio broadened alongside its geographic reach. In the United Kingdom it became associated with landfill-gas generation equipment. In Australia it developed experience with coal-mine gas engines, while in France it supplied natural-gas cogeneration systems. The company also worked on pioneering renewable-gas and emerging-market projects, including the supply of biogas engines for a project near Lake Naivasha in Kenya and the use of compressed natural gas as a fuel in connection with Nestlé Nigeria. Kohler acquired Clarke Energy in 2017. The acquisition placed the company within Kohler’s energy activities while preserving Clarke Energy’s specialist identity and market role. In 2024 Kohler Energy became a standalone business and was rebranded Rehlko. Clarke Energy consequently became part of the Rehlko organization, continuing to provide gas-engine sales, engineering, installation, commissioning and maintenance services. The company has also received recognition for international growth, exports, innovation, safety and regional business performance. Reported distinctions include the 2012 Knowsley Business Awards Business of the Year, UK Export Champion status in 2013, the 2014 Queen’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade, the 2014 British Renewable Energy Award for Innovation and a Liverpool City Region regional business award. Clarke Energy has reported membership or affiliation with organizations involved in combined heat and power, renewable energy, anaerobic digestion and biogas. Its current proposition combines power-plant engineering, gas-engine distribution and lifecycle support across a multinational operating network.
- 2025
Presidential succession
[1]Kyle Quinn was appointed president, succeeding Jamie Clarke.
- 2024
Rehlko rebrand
[1]Kohler Energy became standalone and adopted the Rehlko name.
- 2017
Acquired by Kohler
[1]Kohler acquired Clarke Energy.
- 2014
Queen’s Award for Enterprise
[1]The company received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade after sustained international growth.
- 2013
South Asian and African expansion
[1]Clarke Energy acquired Orient Energy Systems Bangladesh, Agaricus Trading and GE’s South African Jenbacher service business, adding distribution responsibilities in Bangladesh, South Africa, Botswana and Mozambique.
- 2004
French operations acquired
[1]The company acquired Jenbacher France and received distribution rights for France.
- 2003
Expansion into India
[1]Clarke Energy acquired Cogen India and received Jenbacher distribution rights for India.
- 2002
GE acquires Jenbacher
[1]GE acquired Jenbacher, and Clarke Energy became an authorized distributor and service provider for GE’s gas-engine business.
- 1998
First major overseas expansion
[1]The company received Jenbacher distribution rights for Australia, New Zealand and Nigeria.
- 1995
Jenbacher distribution begins in the United Kingdom
[1]Clarke Energy became a United Kingdom distributor for Jenbacher gas engines.
Products and positioning
A specialist engineering, distribution and service partner for gas-engine power generation and distributed-energy systems, with applications spanning natural gas, renewable gas and waste-derived fuels.
Gas engine generation · 1995
Jenbacher gas-engine power plants
Clarke Energy supplies, engineers and supports power plants based on INNIO Jenbacher gas engines. These installations can provide prime, distributed or industrial power and may be configured for combined heat and power. Depending on the project, the engines can use natural gas, biogas, landfill gas, coal-mine methane, synthetic gas or other gaseous fuels.
Cogeneration
Combined heat and power systems
Clarke Energy designs cogeneration plants that generate electricity while recovering engine heat for industrial processes, buildings or district-energy uses. The approach is intended to increase overall fuel utilization compared with separate electricity generation and heat production, particularly where a customer has a consistent demand for both forms of energy.
Renewable energy generation
Renewable-gas and waste-gas generation
The company supports electricity-generation projects using gases recovered from anaerobic digestion, landfills, coal mines and other industrial or agricultural sources. These systems convert gases that might otherwise be flared or released into useful power, and may be combined with heat recovery or wider site-energy solutions.
Energy services · 1989
Gas-engine service and maintenance
Service activities include installation support, commissioning, maintenance and lifecycle assistance for gas-engine generating equipment. This capability is central to Clarke Energy’s role as an authorized distributor and service partner, helping customers maintain availability and performance after a generating plant enters operation.
Marketing campaigns
- 2014Queen’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade
United Kingdom · International
Clarke Energy received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade after reporting six years of sustained growth.
Outcome. The award recognized international sales and market development.
- 2014British Renewable Energy Award for Innovation
United Kingdom
The company won a British Renewable Energy Award for Innovation.
Outcome. The recognition emphasized Clarke Energy’s work in renewable and alternative-gas generation.
- 2013UK Export Champion
United Kingdom · International
UK Trade and Investment designated Clarke Energy an Export Champion in recognition of its international activity.
Outcome. The designation highlighted the company’s export-led expansion.
- 2012Knowsley Business Awards recognition
United Kingdom
Clarke Energy was named Business of the Year in the Knowsley Business Awards.
Outcome. The award recognized the company’s local business performance.
Brand decisions
2024
Transition into the Rehlko groupStrategyBackground
Kohler Energy was separated as a standalone business.
Action taken
The standalone energy business adopted the Rehlko name, with Clarke Energy continuing as an operating brand.
Aftermath
Clarke Energy remained associated with gas-engine power generation, engineering and lifecycle service under Rehlko.
2017
Kohler acquisitionM&ABackground
Clarke Energy had developed a multinational business in gas-engine distribution, project engineering and service.
Action taken
Kohler acquired Clarke Energy and incorporated it into its energy activities.
Aftermath
Clarke Energy continued operating as a specialist gas-engine business within the Kohler group.
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