Clarke Energy History
From diesel engine spares to international low-carbon, flexible energy solutions – Clarke Energy’s evolution reflects decades of engineering excellence and strategic expansion.
Our Journey
Clarke Energy began operations in 1989, supplying spare parts for marine, industrial, and locomotive diesel engines. Over the decades, the company has evolved into a global leader in distributed power solutions, supplying innovative gas engine- based installations and advanced low-carbon technologies.
With multinational operations and a long-standing relationship with INNIO Jenbacher, Clarke Energy is now a key provider of combined heat and power (CHP), biogas, hydrogen, energy storage, and carbon capture systems.
1989 – Trading Begins
Clarke Energy was founded by Jim Clarke in 1989, initially specialising in the supply of diesel engine spare parts to marine and industrial sectors. The company quickly gained a reputation for technical expertise and responsive customer service.
1995 – Strategic Partnership with Jenbacher
A pivotal milestone came in 1995, when Clarke Energy was appointed as the UK distributor for Jenbacher gas engines. This strategic move marked the company’s transition into gas-based power generation and set the stage for future international growth.
1998–2005 – Early Acquisitions and Expansion
Clarke Energy expanded into Australia in 1998. This was followed by Clarke Energy’s first international acquisitions included Cogen India in 2003 and Jenbacher France in 2004. These deals laid the groundwork for a global presence and enabled the company to establish strong local operations. In 2005, Clarke Energy further expanded by opening an office in Ireland.
2008 – Recognition for Excellence
In 2008, Clarke Energy was recognised as INNIO Jenbacher’s Global Distributor of the Year, reflecting the company’s outstanding project execution, technical capability, and customer support across markets.
2010 – Leadership Transition
In 2010, Jamie Clarke, son of founder Jim Clarke, was promoted to Chief Executive Officer, with Jim retaining the position of Chairman. This marked the beginning of second-generation leadership and continued the company’s values of engineering integrity and service excellence.
2008–2015 – Accelerated Global Growth
Clarke Energy continued its expansion with the launch of operations in Tunisia in 2008 and Algeria in 2011. In 2012, the company entered the Tanzanian market. A year later, in 2013, Clarke Energy acquired Orient Energy’s Bangladesh operations, establishing its presence in Bangladesh. That same year, the company also entered South Africa through the acquisition of GE’s South African Jenbacher service business and Agaricus Trading. The Cameroon office followed in 2015, completing a significant phase of growth across Africa and Asia.
2017 – Entry into New Markets and Acquisition by Kohler Co.
2017 was a landmark year as Clarke Energy launched operations in the USA, Papua New Guinea, Morocco, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Ghana, and Ivory Coast. That same year, the company was acquired by Kohler Co., one of America’s oldest and largest privately held businesses. The acquisition brought new resources and global backing, enabling further technological development and operational investment. In 2019 to strengthen its position in Europe and expand into mid-sized CHP systems, Clarke Energy acquired TEB in Romania and Genelco in Greece.
2020s – Focus on Sustainable Technologies
As global demand grew for decarbonised and resilient energy, Clarke Energy diversified its offering to include battery energy storage systems (BESS), hydrogen-ready gas engines, biogas upgrading technologies, and carbon dioxide recovery. These solutions are deployed independently or as part of integrated hybrid systems, helping customers improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions.
2024 – Kohler Energy Rebrands as Rehlko
In 2024, Kohler Energy became a standalone business following its acquisition by Platinum Equity. The business was rebranded as Rehlko, with Kohler Company remaining an investment partner. This marked a new chapter in the company’s evolution, with renewed focus on delivering resilient, low-carbon energy solutions.
2025 – A New Era of Leadership
In 2025, Kyle Quinn was appointed President of Clarke Energy, a Rehlko Company, succeeding Jamie Clarke. This milestone marked the end of Clarke family management and the beginning of a new era as the company continues its journey as a global leader in sustainable and distributed energy systems.
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