Kawasaki Wins AiP for LNG Floating Power Plant

Japanese manufacturer of transportation equipment and machinery announced that it has obtained Approval in Principle (AiP) for its liquefied natural gas (LNG) floating power plant equipped with its own gas turbine (combined cycle power plant (CCPP) model).

This approval was obtained from world-leading ship classification organization DNV GL based on its latest “Gas Power Plant” rules, which were introduced in 2018.

An LNG floating power plant is an integrated system in which LNG fuel tanks, LNG regasification unit, power generation equipment and switchyard are all outfitted on the hull. It is towed on the sea or river and then moored at the installation site, where it generates power on the hull that is then supplied to the onshore power grid.

Demand for this type of power plant is expected to be strong in countries where demand for electricity is rapidly increasing, such as in Southeast Asia, especially on islands or in locations where it is difficult to secure stable power sources, and also in areas with geographical problems such as lack of land for constructing onshore power plants.

LNG, which is the fuel used for power generation, has a cost advantage over heavy oil and emits less greenhouse gases than coal and heavy oil. As an environmentally friendly fuel, the scale of supply and demand as well as applications of LNG are expected to expand.

With this AiP, following a previous AiP obtained in May of this year for an LNG floating power plant equipped with Kawasaki's own gas engine (gas engine model), Kawasaki's lineup now consists of a CCPP model and a gas engine model, thus enabling the company to better meet a wider range of customer needs.

Since constructing Asia’s first LNG carrier in 1981, Kawasaki has built over 40 LNG-related vessels, designing and manufacturing a wide range of LNG fuel vessels, LNG bunkering vessel and others.