An electric drive system for mechanical machinery. The electric drive system includes a first electrical bus and a second electrical bus each configured to operate at different voltages. A first generator is configured to provide electric current to the first electrical bus at a first voltage. A second generator is configured to provide electric current to the second electrical bus at a second voltage that is different from the first voltage. A first electric motor is coupled to the first electrical bus and configured to operate on electrical power from the first electrical bus at the first voltage. A second electric motor is coupled to the second electrical bus and configured to operate on electrical power from the second electrical bus at the second voltage. Mechanical power used to drive the mechanical machinery is generated by both the first electric motor and the second electric motor.