Development Agreement Reached for Mobile Powership
Polaris Shipping Co., Ltd., Korea Midland Power Co., Ltd., Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd., and Siemens Energy Solutions Ltd. signed a Memorandum of Understanding at COEX Intercontinental Hotel in Seoul on December 10, 2013 to develop Mobile Powership, an integration of shipbuilding and power generating technology in which a highly efficient power generating facility will be installed onto a FSRU (Floating Storage Regasification Unit) for the very first time in the world.
It is expected that Mobile Powership will commence its operation in December 2017 with total investment of $940 Million. When compared to building a power plant on land, the model will substantially reduce civil complaints as it will not require a large scale land. In addition, due to systemized and skillful shipbuilding process, overall construction period will be shortened. In terms of power transmission, Mobile Powership will utilize existing cables so that sections subject to new installation will be minimized, which leads to significant cost saving. Once the business model is successfully launched in Korea, it is anticipated to move overseas to selectively target combined cycle power producing market where high yields can be generated.
“Mobile Powership is the world’s first invention to integrate a combined cycle power generating facility and liquefied gas storage in which a gas turbine and a regasification unit are directly linked to achieve curtailment of fuel cost. Hence, we are of a view that it can be a smart solution to surging demand for electricity in and out of Korea and a successful business model for the Creative Economy.” commented by spokesperson from Korea Midland Power Co., Ltd.
“This Powership integrates the LNG FSRU, the model first designed and built by Hyundai, with the top-of-the-line combined cycle unit in the capacity of 880 MW, which will give birth to an innovative naval architecture through combination of shipbuilding and plant engineering. We plan to target overseas newbuilding market upon successful launch of the project.” commented by Hyundai Heavy Industries.
“Siemens is delighted to participate in the Powership project based on an innovative business model to share our technical expertise and competitiveness which we have built in the global power producing market. Furthermore, synergy between Siemens’ engineering knowhow and Hyundai Heavy Industries’ world class shipbuilding technology will create a state-of-the-art offshore combined cycle power plant.” stated by Dr. Rochus Bergmann, CEO of Siemens.
“Mobile Powership is a mobile power plant with a capacity to promptly manage natural disasters such as earthquake and flood. As the world’s no.1 VLOC (Very Large Ore Carrier) owner in shipping industry, we are willing to bring in our best effort based on experiences in new ship design and trust we have earned from highly valued clients” spokesperson from Polaris Shipping mentioned.
Four concerned parties including Korea Midland Power will launch a Task Force Team after signing the Memorandum of Understanding to closely examine technical issues which will be reflected in the engineering of Powership. It is said that once performance of the Powership is ascertained through pilot project in Korea, then it will be exported to Philippines, Indonesia, Brazil, and other countries where power shortage has become a critical issue. In addition, it is anticipated that the project will firmly position itself as a business model well-suited for South Korean policies under the “Creative Economy” by generating approximately $2 billion per project.
