# Generator for Pub Owners in Ireland

Source: https://www.generatorsireland.net/generator-for-pub-ireland/

Hospitality guide · 2026
Generator for Pub Owners: Keep the Taps Flowing When the Power Goes
A generator for pub premises protects your stock, your takings and your customers’ night out. This guide explains how to choose the right size, why diesel standby generators suit bars best, and what to check before you buy in Ireland.


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GoreyCo. Wexford, on the M11

A canopied diesel standby generator keeps lights, tills and keg coolers running through a power cut.
In this guide

Why a generator for pub owners matters
What a pub generator needs to power
How to size a generator for pub use
Why diesel is the best fit
Standby with automatic switching
7 proven tips for buying
Generator for pub FAQs



Why a generator for pub owners matters


Storms like Éowyn showed how quickly power can disappear across Ireland, sometimes for days. For a pub, a power cut on a busy evening means dark rooms, dead card machines, warm kegs and customers walking out the door.


A generator for pub use is a straightforward insurance policy. It keeps the essentials running so you can keep serving, protect chilled stock and keep staff and customers safe. You can follow live fault updates on the ESB Networks PowerCheck map and severe weather alerts on Met Éireann’s warnings page.




Protect stock
Keg coolers, cellar cooling and fridges stay cold.




Keep trading
Tills, card machines and Wi-Fi stay online.




Stay safe
Lighting, alarms and CCTV keep working.






What a pub generator needs to power


Start with a list. Walk through the bar, cellar, kitchen and back office and note every item you could not trade without. A typical list for a generator for pub standby looks like this:



Cellar cooling, keg coolers and bottle fridges
Glass washer and dishwasher
Lighting in the bar, toilets and exits
Tills, card terminals, router and phones
CCTV, alarms and fire panel
Kitchen fryers, ovens and extraction (if you serve food)
Heating controls and hot water pumps

Check the rating plate on each item for its watts or amps. Equipment with motors or compressors, such as coolers and extraction fans, draws a much bigger surge for a moment when it starts, so leave headroom.




How to size a generator for pub use


Generators are sold in kVA. As a rough rule, add up the running load of everything that runs together, add a margin for starting surges, and choose a generator that will usually run between about half and three-quarters of its rated output. That keeps it efficient and avoids overload.






Premises
Typical essentials
Where to start looking




Small village bar
Lights, tills, fridges, keg coolers
Smaller diesel sets


Pub with kitchen
Above plus fryers, ovens, extraction
Mid-size 3-phase diesel


Large bar or hotel
Whole building, rooms, lifts, laundry
Large standby diesel with ATS




These are starting points, not quotes. Every building is different, so send us your list and we will help you size the right generator for pub trading at no cost. Our generator buying guide explains kVA in more detail.




Why diesel is the best generator for pub standby


Diesel is the workhorse of commercial backup power. A diesel generator for pub premises offers longer run times per tank, handles heavy starting loads well, and is built for long hours. Petrol generators are lighter and cheaper but suit small, occasional jobs rather than a busy licensed premises.


Published diesel candidates include the used Perkins 38 kVA, the new GF3-50 (63 kVA prime) and the new GF3-100 (125 kVA prime). Confirm current availability, offered specification and suitability for your assessed load. None is a guaranteed fit for every pub.




Standby generators with automatic switching


The smoothest setup is a standby generator with an automatic transfer switch. When the mains supply fails, it starts the generator and switches your circuits over when ready, then switches back when power returns. A commissioned automatic system can reduce manual switching, but compatibility, controls and installation must be confirmed.


Whatever you choose, connection to your wiring must be done by a registered electrician with a proper changeover or transfer switch. Read our generator installation guide before you plan the work.




7 proven tips for buying a generator for pub use



List your essentials. Decide what must keep running, and what can wait.
Size with headroom. Allow for compressor and motor starting surges.
Check your supply. Find out if your premises is single-phase or 3-phase.
Choose diesel. It is the reliable choice for long, heavy commercial use.
Go quiet. A canopied or silent set keeps neighbours and customers happy.
Plan the switch. Automatic transfer gives hands-free changeover.
Service it. Test-run regularly and keep fuel fresh so it starts when needed.



Generator for pub FAQs




What size generator for a pub do I need?


Add up everything you must keep running at the same time: fridges and keg coolers, glass washer, lights, tills, card machines, Wi-Fi, CCTV, heating controls and any kitchen equipment. Then allow extra headroom for motors that draw a surge when they start. There is no reliable size range for every pub. Ask for a load assessment that includes supply phase and motor starting currents before selecting equipment.




Should a pub choose a diesel or petrol generator?


For a pub, diesel is usually the better choice. A diesel generator for pub standby use runs longer on a tank, handles heavy loads like cellar cooling and kitchen equipment better, and lasts longer under regular use. Petrol units suit very small, occasional jobs such as a single outdoor event.




Can a generator start automatically in a power cut?


Yes. A standby generator paired with an automatic transfer switch (ATS) detects the power cut, starts the generator and transfers the supply when the generator is ready, then switches back when mains power returns. A transfer can interrupt power; tills and network equipment may need a suitable UPS. Staff still need safe outage procedures.




Does a generator for a pub need to be installed by an electrician?


Yes. Any generator connected to your building’s wiring must be connected by a registered electrician through a proper changeover or transfer switch, so power cannot flow back into the ESB Networks lines. Our installation guide explains the steps.




Do you sell 3-phase generators for pubs and hotels?


Many larger pubs, bars with kitchens and hotels run on 3-phase power. We stock diesel generators in a wide range of sizes, including 3-phase models. Tell us what supply your premises has and we will point you to suitable stock.




How noisy is a pub generator?


Choose a silent or canopied diesel generator if it will sit near a beer garden, smoking area or neighbours. Enclosed models are much quieter than open-frame sets. Placement also matters: keep it away from windows and doors, and never run it indoors.




Where are Generators Ireland based?


We are based in Gorey, Co. Wexford, on the M11. Contact us to talk through stock, sizing and delivery for your premises.






Find the right generator for your pub


Tell us what you need to keep running and we will match you with a suitable diesel generator from our stock. Based in Gorey, Co. Wexford.


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