When the lights go out unexpectedly at a festival, the celebration can quickly turn into chaos. Reliable power is the unseen hero of every successful event, keeping stages booming, lights shining, and safety systems running. For festival producers, generators and fuel management are as critical as booking the headline act. This guide offers seasoned advice on choosing the right generators, placing them safely, handling fuel wisely, and maintaining uninterrupted power throughout the festival.
Sizing Generators to Your Load
No festival can run without sufficient power, so it’s vital to size generators appropriately for the expected load. Under-sizing a generator risks overloads and blackouts, while over-sizing can waste fuel and budget. Start planning early by calculating the total electrical load of all equipment and facilities at the event. Consider every power draw, including:
- Stages and AV Equipment: Sound systems, amplifiers, mixers, lighting rigs, video screens, and instruments. These can draw significant power, especially during peak performance times.
- Vendor Booths and Catering: Food trucks, refrigeration units, electric cookers, coffee machines, and point-of-sale systems all need power, including any carnival rides or merchandise booths that might be part of the event.
- Site Lighting and Effects: Floodlights for pathways, decorative lighting installations, LED screens, and lasers or special effects machines.
- Facilities and Utilities: Restroom trailers, water pumps, heating or cooling systems, medical tents, and security or communications equipment.
Once all equipment is listed out, estimate each item’s power consumption (in watts or kilovolt-amperes, kVA). It’s wise to consult technical specifications or an electrician to get accurate figures. Add a safety margin on top of the sum – seasoned producers often add 20–30% extra capacity. This buffer accounts for surges (for example, when a sound system kicks in with bass-heavy music) and any last-minute additions on site. Generators also operate most efficiently when they’re loaded at roughly 70–80% of their maximum capacity, so a bit of headroom is beneficial for both performance and fuel efficiency.
For a small boutique festival, the total power demand might only require a single 25 kVA portable generator, but even then ensure it can comfortably handle peak times (like all food vendors operating during the dinner rush plus the stage running at full tilt). In contrast, a large music festival with multiple stages and a huge vendor village could need several large generators (100 kVA and above) or even a synchronized generator farm feeding into a power distribution system. In large-scale events, it’s common to dedicate separate generators to different areas – for example, one generator exclusively for the main stage, another for the food court, and another for production facilities. Dividing loads this way prevents a problem in one zone from tripping the power elsewhere.
Real-world example: At a regional outdoor concert, the organizers initially rented a single 50 kVA diesel generator for all stage and vendor power. As the sun set and stage lights came on, food vendors also fired up their electric grills and freezers, pushing the power usage beyond what that generator could supply. The overloaded generator tripped, causing a brief outage right before the headline act. Luckily, power was restored after a short delay once non-essential equipment was unplugged, but the lesson was clear – precise load calculation and employing a generator with ample capacity (or multiple units) would have prevented this embarrassing interruption. Future editions of that festival opted for a 75 kVA unit and split some vendor power to a secondary generator, ensuring uninterrupted power even at peak load.
Positioning Generators Safely
Where and how generators are placed on the festival site has serious safety and operational implications. A generator, especially a larger diesel unit, is a heavy piece of equipment with hot surfaces, exhaust fumes, and high voltage connections – it must be positioned with care.
Keep generators accessible but secured: They should be located in an area that staff and technicians can reach easily for refueling and maintenance, yet restricted from public access. Use sturdy fencing or barricades around generators if festival attendees could potentially wander near. This not only prevents curious guests from tampering with equipment or accidentally getting hurt, but also establishes a clear perimeter for any potential hazards (like fuel or oil spills). Posting warning signs (e.g., “Authorized Personnel Only” or “Danger – High Voltage”) on the fencing adds an extra layer of public safety awareness.
Consider distance and orientation: Position generators at a safe distance from stages, tents, and attendee gathering areas. This spacing has multiple benefits:
– Noise Reduction: Even “silent” or sound-attenuated generators produce noise. Distance (or placing them behind structures) helps minimize the generator hum bleeding into performance audio or the guest experience. For instance, a small community festival placed its generator right behind the stage without sound insulation – during quiet moments in performances, attendees could hear the engine chugging. The next year, they relocated it further away and behind a solid plywood wall, dramatically reducing the noise on the dance floor.
– Fume Management: Aim exhaust vents away from people. Generator engines emit diesel or gasoline exhaust that contains carbon monoxide and unpleasant fumes. They should never be placed in enclosed spaces or too close to crowds. Ideally, situate generators downwind from key attendee areas so that the wind carries exhaust away from the audience, stage crew, and artists.
– Safety Radius: Keep them clear of flammable materials and structures. For example, don’t park a generator directly beside dry grass, fabric decorations, or underneath a stage deck. A few meters of clear space around the unit is advisable to reduce fire risk. Also, ensure the generator sits on firm, level ground – this prevents tipping or fuel spills, and helps maintain proper operation of the equipment.
Secure cabling and connections: Along with the generator itself, pay attention to how power cables run from it to the stages and facilities. Use cable ramps or cable covers for any wires crossing walkways to prevent trip hazards and damage to the cables. All high-voltage distribution boxes should be elevated from wet ground (in case of rain or mud) and likewise kept away from public reach. Professional festival electricians often establish a “power distro” area where the main generator feeds into breakers and from there to heavy-duty extension cables running to various parts of the site. Keep this distro hub neat, dry, and monitored.
Finally, prepare for weather and environmental factors. If there’s a chance of rain, generators might need a canopy or at least weather-proof housing (while still allowing ventilation). Avoid areas that could flood or collect standing water. If the event is on a night when it could get cold or dew forms, make sure any plastic fuel cans or the generator’s fuel tank are not in a position where water could contaminate the fuel or cause equipment issues.
Fuel Storage and Refueling Planning
Having plenty of fuel on hand – and a solid plan to use it – is just as important as choosing the right generator. Many festival power failures occur not from mechanical breakdown, but simply running out of fuel due to poor planning. To keep the music playing and lights shining, implement a robust fuel storage and refueling schedule well in advance.
Calculate fuel requirements: Once the generator size and expected load are known, estimate how much fuel it will consume per hour. Generators typically have published fuel consumption rates (e.g., a 50 kVA diesel generator might burn around 10–15 liters of fuel an hour under moderate to heavy load). Use these figures to project fuel use for the duration of the festival. For example, if an event runs 10 hours a day over a three-day weekend with a generator at near 75% load, that 50 kVA unit could use roughly 100–150 liters per day, totaling 300–450 liters for the whole event. Then add a contingency – seasoned organizers often maintain at least 20% extra fuel above the expected need. This buffer covers unanticipated situations like an extension of running hours, heavier usage than predicted, or a missed fuel delivery.
Fuel storage setup: Store fuel in proper, safe containers and locations. Use approved fuel drums or cans made for gasoline or diesel (usually clearly marked and constructed of durable material). The storage area should be cool, ventilated, and away from ignition sources. Keep fuel stock well away from any open flames (like fire pits or barbecue grills) and also distant from generators or electrical gear to reduce fire risk. Many large festivals use a designated “fuel depot” located off the main activity area – this could be a fenced-off corner of the site where a fuel truck or large fuel bladder is stationed. On a smaller scale, it might be a lockable shed or a covered pallet where extra fuel cans are kept. In all cases, the area must have clear signage (e.g., “Fuel Storage – No Smoking”), and ideally, secondary containment like a spill tray or bunded flooring to catch any leaks from fuel containers.
Scheduling refuels: Plan when and how refueling will happen during the event. Generators often can run for several hours on a full tank (some large units can go 8–12 hours before refueling). Schedule top-ups during low-activity times to minimize impact – for instance, early morning before attendees arrive, or during a band changeover when the stage isn’t active. If the festival runs overnight, schedule a refuel in the middle of the night when crowds are smallest. Always assign trained crew members to monitor fuel levels throughout the event; this can be as simple as checking the generator’s fuel gauge every few hours and logging it. With multiple generators, coordinate so that not all refuel at once (maintain power to critical areas by staggering refills or having one generator take the load while another is being refueled or serviced).
For multi-day events or very large festivals, coordinate fuel deliveries ahead of time. You may need a fuel supplier to come on-site daily or have a fuel truck on standby. Running out of fuel on day 2 because the nearest gas station ran dry or a delivery truck got stuck in traffic is not a valid excuse – plan alternatives. In one instance, a countryside festival nearly went dark because the scheduled diesel delivery truck was delayed by several hours. Fortunately, the production team had preserved enough reserve fuel to last until the truck arrived, avoiding a show-stopping outage. This highlights why having excess fuel on-site and multiple supplier contacts is part of good risk management.
Fuel Safety Protocols
Handling fuel is inherently hazardous – gasoline and diesel are flammable, and spills or misuse can lead to fires or environmental damage. A festival environment, with its hectic pace and many hands, demands strict fuel safety protocols to prevent accidents. The goal is to make sure that fuel handling is treated with the same care as any other high-risk aspect of production.
Limit who handles fuel: Only designated, trained staff members should refuel generators or transport fuel containers. These individuals should be briefed on proper procedure – for example, shutting down smaller generators before refueling (to avoid ignition from a hot engine or electrical spark), or if a generator must be refueled while running (as sometimes happens with large units that can’t be easily turned off without cutting power), using extreme caution and proper equipment to pump fuel without spills. In all cases, absolutely no smoking or open flames is allowed anywhere near fuel storage or during refueling. It may sound obvious, but a surprising number of incidents occur from someone casually smoking a cigarette 10 feet from a fuel area. Vigilance is key.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) and gear: Staff handling fuel should wear appropriate PPE – this can include gloves (to avoid skin contact with fuel and to grip slippery cans), safety glasses (to protect against splash), and even flame-resistant workwear if available. Have a fire extinguisher rated for flammable liquids (Class B in many fire codes) within arm’s reach whenever fuel is being handled. Additionally, keep spill cleanup materials on hand: absorbent pads, sand or cat litter, and a disposal container for soaked materials. If a minor spill happens, it should be contained and cleaned immediately to prevent slip hazards or fire risk. All crew members should know where these safety items are located.
Secure fuel and keys: It’s not just the risk of fire – fuel is a valuable commodity and potentially dangerous in the wrong hands. Keep fuel storage locked or under supervision. For instance, if a fuel truck is on site, its valves and nozzles should be secured when not in use, and the area patrolled by security at night. Likewise, if generators have lockable fuel caps or doors, ensure they are used. There have been cases of vandalism or mischief where someone tampered with a generator or even stole fuel at events, leading to chaos. A simple padlock on a fuel tank cap and barrier fencing can deter these problems.
Emergency procedures: Establish a plan in case something does go wrong. All relevant crew should know how to respond if there’s a fuel spill larger than a few liters, or if a fire breaks out in the generator area. This might include stopping fuel flow, using extinguishers, and calling the fire department if needed. Also inform the local fire marshal or authorities about the festival’s fuel storage plan beforehand if required – many jurisdictions have limits on how much fuel can be stored without special permits (for example, above a certain number of liters on site). Complying with these regulations is part of safety. By treating fuel management with respect and caution, organizers protect not only the festival’s continuity but the people on site and the environment.
Ensuring Uninterrupted Power for Critical Systems
An unexpected power outage in the middle of a festival is more than just an inconvenience – it can be dangerous. Darkness can cause crowd panic or accidents, and loss of sound can escalate into unrest if attendees grow frustrated. It’s the nightmare scenario every festival producer wants to avoid. That’s why ensuring uninterrupted power to critical systems is paramount.
Identify critical vs. non-critical loads: Determine which parts of the festival absolutely cannot lose power without serious consequences. Obvious critical systems include stage sound and lighting (no one wants a headline act suddenly silenced), site lighting at night (for exits, pathways, and security), emergency medical tents and communications (radios, PA systems for safety announcements), and any crowd safety infrastructure like barriers that may be power-operated. Non-critical loads might be things like phone charging stations or decorative lighting – nice to have, but not life-safety critical. By prioritizing, organizers can design the power setup to give critical circuits the most robust protection.
Redundancy and backup plans: For any large festival or high-stakes application, consider having backup generators or at least backup capacity. This could mean an entire second generator on standby, already wired into a transfer switch, ready to kick in if the primary fails. In practice, large stage productions often use two generators in parallel or an A/B system: one handles the load while the other idles in low-power or standby mode, so if one stops, the other immediately bears the load. At minimum, keep a portable generator or two available backstage for emergency use – even if it can’t power the whole show, it could supply enough electricity for emergency lighting or a basic PA to direct the crowd if the main system fails.
For smaller festivals with tighter budgets, a full duplicate generator might not be feasible. Instead, have a contingency plan: know the nearest rental company or supplier who could dispatch a replacement generator on short notice, and ensure that vehicles and towing capability are available to retrieve it if needed. Also, keep spare fuel filters, fuses, or other minor parts that a technician could use to fix a generator on-site if it malfunctions. In one notable incident, a multi-day cultural festival’s main stage generator had a mechanical issue that caused it to shut down during an afternoon set. Because the production team had a backup generator on standby, they managed to switch power over within minutes. The show went on with only a brief pause, and most attendees hardly noticed the glitch. Without that backup unit, the headline performance that night might have been canceled – a potentially devastating blow to the festival’s reputation.
Uninterrupted power supplies (UPS) for electronics: Consider using small UPS units for particularly sensitive equipment. A UPS is a battery backup device. While giant amplifiers would drain a UPS in seconds (making it impractical to power large speakers this way), small UPS units can still protect things like the FOH (front-of-house) audio mixing console, the lighting control board, or the computer servers running ticketing or RFID systems. If the generator flickers or there’s a gap when switching power sources, a UPS can keep those critical control systems alive long enough (even just a few minutes) to either restore power or do an orderly shutdown. This can prevent data loss or damage to electronics, and allow the tech crew to communicate with the audience if needed (“Please stand by, we have a brief technical issue…” rather than being abruptly cut off).
Continuous monitoring: Assign an electrician or power manager to watch the loads in real time. Today’s generator hire companies often provide remote monitoring for fuel levels and load on large units. Even without such technology, assign someone to periodically check that generators are not overloading (there’s usually a gauge or display on the generator), and that all systems are receiving power as expected. This person can potentially catch problems early – perhaps a cable heating up, an unusual sound from a generator engine, or an overloaded circuit – and address them before they escalate to a failure.
Ultimately, uninterrupted festival power comes from intelligent design (right-sized, well-placed equipment), rigorous maintenance (fuel topped up, machines serviced), and backup solutions for when Murphy’s Law strikes. By planning for the worst while expecting the best, festival producers can vastly reduce the odds of a show-stopping power failure.
Key Takeaways
- Thorough Power Planning: Calculate all electrical needs of the festival—stages, vendors, lights, and facilities—and choose generators that comfortably exceed this load. Always include a safety margin and plan for peak demand periods.
- Safe Generator Placement: Position generators on stable ground, away from crowds and flammable materials. Use fencing to keep the public away, point exhaust away from people, and mitigate noise through distance or sound barriers.
- Fuel Management: Estimate fuel consumption ahead of time and store more fuel than the projected usage (at least 20% extra as a buffer). Use proper fuel containers, store them securely away from ignition sources, and set a clear schedule for refueling during low-activity times.
- Fuel Safety Protocols: Only trained staff should handle fuel and refills. Enforce strict no-smoking rules around fuel, have fire extinguishers and spill kits readily available, and follow local regulations for fuel storage. Safety first, always.
- Uninterrupted Power Strategy: Identify critical systems that must never lose power (like stage and safety lighting). Implement backups or redundancy—whether it’s a spare generator on standby or a rapid service plan. Consider UPS units for sensitive gear and have an emergency response plan in case of power failure.
- Learn from Experience: Every festival, big or small, can face power challenges. Successful producers continually learn from past events—addressing weaknesses, investing in reliable equipment, and never leaving festival power to chance. Keeping the lights on and the sound pumping is foundational to a great festival experience, so prioritize power management at every step.
25th August 2025