Africa lapping up HHI’s portable power stations

Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) has exported its 1,000th portable power generation facility to Africa, the company said.

The world’s No. 1 shipbuilder said yesterday it held a celebratory ceremony at its engine plant in Ulsan, North Gyeongsang, after it shipped 65 of its Packaged Power Stations (PPS) to Angola in southern Africa.

PPS is a portable power generation facility made of a container consisting of Hyundai Heavy Industries’ HiMSEN engines and other subsidiary devices. Each unit can produce 1.7 megawatts of electricity.

HHI invented the facility for countries with landscapes defined by rough and inhospitable terrain that do not facilitate the construction of regular power plants.

Demand is growing on islands and remote areas, the company said.

The portable PPS uses cheaper heavy oil, which has a competitive edge in terms of price.

HHI first exported the facility to the Dominican Republic in 2001 and has been increasing exports to Cuba, Chile and Iraq.

In 2007, Cuba’s central bank even issued 10 peso bank notes with the design of HHI’s portable power station on the back to express its gratitude to the company for aiding its power supply.

It provided free units to Japan after a massive tsunami swept the country last year, and donated some to the Galapagos Islands in May.

“Exporting 1,000 PPS has more than just numerical significance. It also gives us a chance to think about ways to create new value by using our technology,” said Lee Jae-sung, CEO of the shipbuilder.

PPS was designated as a “World’s First-Class Product” by the Ministry of Knowledge Economy in 2006. Including those being exported to Angola, a total of 1,000 have been installed in 22 countries.

HHI ranks No. 1 in the global shipbuilding and engine markets.

By Song Su-hyun [ssh@joongang.co.kr]