HHI starts power generation in earthquake-hit Japan

By Kim Yoo-chul

Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), the world's biggest shipbuilder and among the leaders in marine engine manufacturing, has begun operating portable power stations in Japan to help ease electricity shortages there triggered by the country’s earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis.

The company has sent four of its portable packaged power stations (PPS) to Chiba, Japan, with each unit capable of producing 1.7-megawatts of electricity ― enough to provide sufficient power for some 10,000 households.

"We hope this will partly help Japan recover from power shortages and pave the way to boost bilateral relations between South Korea and Japan," HHI said in a statement.

HHI said top company executives including Chairman Min Keh-sik and chief of the engine-handling division Kwon Oh-shin flew to Japan for participation in an opening event.

The stations coming on-line comes just a month after HHI sent the PPSs to the neighboring country following power problems due to the earthquake and tsunami.

"HHI's technicians will stay in Japan to monitor any unexpected technical problems," said spokesman Jo Sung-woo.

The PPS is a mobile power plant in a 40 foot container. Its design makes it ideal for use on islands or other remote areas where a traditional power plant would be impractical, according to the statement.

Jo said the plants are also designed for rapid deployment especially in disaster-hit areas.

So far, HHI has exported over 1,000 such power stations to more than 22 countries including Brazil, Chile, Cuba and Iraq.