"How much is a 200 kVA generator?" is the most common question we get on WhatsApp — and the honest answer is: it depends on nine things. Two quotations for the same kVA can be far apart because they are not quoting the same machine. Here is what actually moves the price, so you can compare offers like for like.
1. The kVA rating — and whether it is standby or prime
Size is the biggest driver: a 500 kVA set costs far more than a 100 kVA one. But check which rating the quote uses. A "500 kVA" standby set delivers roughly 450 kVA on prime duty. If one supplier quotes standby and another quotes prime, the cheaper offer may simply be a smaller machine. Our guide to prime vs standby ratings explains the difference.
2. Engine brand
Perkins, Cummins, Volvo Penta, Baudouin, Kubota, Lister Petter and Chinese engine series all sit at different price points. Premium brands cost more up front but usually win on parts availability across the GCC, resale value and service network. See how they compare in Perkins vs Cummins vs Kubota.
3. The alternator
The alternator turns engine power into electricity. Brand, insulation class (H is standard for the Gulf), winding pitch and the quality of the voltage regulator (AVR) all matter — especially if you feed sensitive IT equipment or VFDs.
4. Enclosure: open, silent canopy or container
- Open frame — cheapest, for plant rooms.
- Silent canopy — weatherproof and sound-attenuated; essential for villas, hospitals and residential areas.
- Container — for large sets and remote sites, with fuel and switchgear inside.
The quieter the canopy (measured in dB(A) at 7 m), the more steel and insulation it needs.
5. Controller and monitoring
A manual start panel is cheap. An AMF controller (Deep Sea or ComAp) that starts the set automatically on mains failure, with remote monitoring and alarms, costs more and is worth it for any standby application.
6. ATS and distribution panels
A generator only takes over automatically with an automatic transfer switch. Some quotes include it, many do not. Check the ATS rating matches the generator's full-load current — see ATS panels explained.
7. Fuel tank size
A standard base tank typically gives around 8 hours at 75% load. Longer autonomy needs a bigger base tank or an external fuel tank — more steel, more cost.
8. Site conditions
At 50 °C ambient, engines and alternators lose output. A set specified for Gulf conditions needs a larger radiator and sometimes a bigger engine to deliver the same kVA. A quote that ignores derating is cheaper on paper only.
9. Delivery, installation, commissioning and warranty
Transport, offloading, cabling, exhaust extension, commissioning, load-bank testing and warranty can add a meaningful amount. Every product we supply carries a 12-month warranty, and we quote installation and testing as separate, clear lines.
How to compare two quotations
Put them side by side and check:
- the same rating basis (standby or prime) and the same kVA at your site temperature
- engine and alternator make and model
- enclosure type and noise level
- controller model and whether an ATS is included
- fuel tank capacity in hours
- what is included: delivery, installation, testing, warranty length
Get an exact price
Use the generator size chart or the kVA calculator to find your size, then send it to us on WhatsApp. We reply with options and a clear price breakdown — usually the same working day.
