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A festival generator should be sized from the equipment that actually needs power, not simply from guest numbers or the size of the venue. Two events with the same attendance can have completely different electrical demands depending on the stage production, lighting, catering, refrigeration, traders, welfare facilities and site infrastructure involved.
The safest starting point is to build a complete load schedule, identify the equipment that may run at the same time and account for any high starting currents. From there, you can determine the required kW or kVA, decide whether single-phase or three-phase power is needed and assess whether one generator or several separate sets would provide the most reliable temporary power arrangement.
Bellwood Rewinds can help review your load list and recommend a suitable festival generator or generator hire package. For general sizing guidance, see What Size Generator Do I Need? and our Generator Power Guide.
There is no single generator size that works for every festival. The correct size depends on:
A professional event power plan should therefore be built from the actual equipment schedule rather than from a generic rule such as “X kVA per 100 people”.
Before choosing a generator, list every item that will need electricity. Ask production suppliers, caterers, bars, exhibitors and site contractors for the actual rating of their equipment instead of estimating from the type of business.
Typical festival loads include:
Record the rated power for each item, along with voltage and phase, where known. If a supplier only provides an amperage rating, your electrician or generator provider can help convert it to a usable load figure.
Some electrical equipment draws much more power at startup than it does during normal operation. Refrigeration compressors, pumps, air-conditioning equipment, large motors and some catering appliances can all create these short demand spikes.
That matters because a generator that appears large enough for the normal running load may still trip, stall or produce unstable voltage when several high-starting loads operate together.
Your load schedule should therefore show:
This is especially important for festivals with multiple catering concessions, refrigeration, pumps or mechanically driven equipment.
Festival equipment is often specified in kilowatts, while commercial generators are commonly sold or hired in kVA. These figures are related but are not automatically identical because the electrical load may have a power factor below 1.
For example, a site with 80 kW of real electrical demand may require a generator rated above 80 kVA depending on the power factor and the characteristics of the connected equipment. Motor-heavy and mixed commercial loads need more careful assessment than a simple bank of resistive heaters or lighting.
Bellwood’s guide to the difference between kVA and kW explains this in more detail.
Small event equipment often uses standard single-phase supplies, while larger production, catering and site systems may require three-phase power.
A festival can easily need both. The important point is not simply whether the generator is three-phase, but how the loads are distributed across the phases. Poor phase balancing can reduce available capacity and create voltage problems even when the generator’s headline kVA rating appears adequate.
Larger festivals should therefore have the temporary electrical distribution designed and checked by a competent event electrician. Bellwood can help identify suitable generator equipment, while the electrician should confirm the site distribution, protection and connection requirements.
Adding every appliance rating together can sometimes overstate the generator requirement because not everything operates at maximum output at the same time. Equally, ignoring the event timetable can underestimate demand when several high-load systems overlap.
Map the festival day by time period:
This helps identify the real peak rather than assuming the same electrical demand throughout the event.
An experienced generator provider can also apply sensible diversity where appropriate, but this should be based on the actual equipment and operating schedule rather than an arbitrary percentage.
A single large generator is not always the best festival-power solution. Larger sites often benefit from dividing demand across several generators or power zones.
Separate generators may be used for:
This can reduce cable distances, simplify distribution and prevent one fault from shutting down the entire event. It can also make it easier to match generator sizes more closely to the individual loads.
However, multiple generators introduce additional fuel, distribution, monitoring and coordination requirements. The right arrangement depends on site layout and operational risk.
Festival power should not be designed with zero spare capacity. Supplier changes, additional equipment and unexpected peak loads are common during event build.
A sensible margin allows the system to absorb reasonable changes without pushing the generator continuously to its maximum rating. The amount of spare capacity should be agreed from the specific load profile rather than using one universal rule.
Critical loads also need separate consideration. Losing power to a decorative lighting feature is very different from losing:
Where the consequence of failure is significant, consider a second generator, split-load arrangement, UPS or battery backup. Bellwood’s Generator Hire Checklist for Event Organisers provides a practical planning framework for this.
Generator size and fuel planning should be considered together. A correctly sized diesel generator may be suitable electrically but still create operational problems if the tank cannot cover the required runtime.
Confirm:
Do not rely on generic “hours per tank” claims because fuel consumption changes with generator size and load. For multi-day festivals, refuelling should be part of the event plan rather than a last-minute task.
A generator may be electrically perfect but still be unsuitable if it interferes with performances, ceremonies, neighbours or licence conditions.
Silenced diesel generators are often preferred for festivals and outdoor events. Positioning the generator further from public areas can also help, but longer cable runs affect voltage drop, cable size and distribution costs.
The generator still needs safe vehicle access, adequate ventilation, suitable exhaust routing, weather protection, space for inspection and refuelling, and segregation from members of the public.
Read Bellwood’s Generator Noise Level Information when comparing sound-attenuated models.
The generator is only the source of electricity. The festival still needs a safe temporary distribution system to get power to stages, traders and other site areas.
Depending on the event, this may include distribution boards, three-phase and single-phase outlets, extension cabling, cable ramps, earthing arrangements, RCD and overcurrent protection, load monitoring and phase balancing.
Long cable routes should be calculated rather than improvised. Incorrectly sized cables can cause voltage drop, overheating or protective-device issues.
Generator hire is normally the most practical route for one-off festivals, seasonal events or organisers whose power requirements change from event to event. It allows the generator specification to be matched to each project without taking on long-term storage and maintenance.
Buying can make more sense for venues, production companies or organisers operating a regular event programme with predictable loads. Ownership gives greater control over availability but also creates responsibilities for servicing, storage, transport and testing.
Bellwood provides Generator Hire and supplies Outdoor Event Generators for festivals and temporary venues. If you are comparing ownership and rental, see Generator Hire vs Buying: Which Is Right for Your Business?
The following example is illustrative only and should not replace a proper load assessment.
Imagine a small outdoor festival with:
The combined running demand is 65 kW before starting currents, load diversity, power factor or contingency are considered. The final generator requirement could therefore be substantially different from simply choosing a 65 kVA generator.
If high-starting refrigeration, three-phase equipment or significant evening peaks are present, the provider may recommend additional capacity or split the loads across more than one generator.
This is why Bellwood asks for the actual equipment schedule rather than recommending generator size from attendance alone.
Bellwood Rewinds can help festival organisers, production companies and event suppliers select generators based on real electrical demand. Our team can review the load schedule, operating timetable, phase requirements, site access, noise constraints and contingency needs before recommending a suitable solution.
We can support temporary events with Generator Hire, Outdoor Event Generators, Diesel Generators and Petrol Generators, along with practical advice on sizing and ongoing generator support.
If you are planning a festival, send us your equipment list and event details as early as possible. The clearer the power brief, the easier it is to provide reliable temporary power without unnecessary capacity, fuel cost or last-minute changes.
The generator must be sized from the equipment load rather than the audience size. Add the running demand for stages, lighting, catering, traders and site services, account for starting currents and confirm the phase requirements. Larger music festivals may need several generators rather than one central unit.
There is no universal percentage that is correct for every festival. The spare capacity should reflect load uncertainty, starting currents, likely late additions and the consequences of overload. A generator specialist can recommend a sensible margin after reviewing the load schedule.
Many larger festivals do because stage production, catering equipment and temporary distribution can include three-phase loads. Smaller events may only need single-phase power, while mixed sites often require both.
Backup capacity is recommended where losing power would create a significant safety, operational or financial impact. Critical lighting, communications, medical areas, refrigeration and main production may justify dedicated contingency power.