This article is 20 years old. Images might not display.
The Kyushu Electric Power Co Ltd will shut down three of its thermal plant at the end of the year ending March 2005.
According to reports in the Japanese media, Kyushu was forced to take the facilities, which had a combined capacity of 156,000 kW, offline and dismantle them in the face of the expected tougher competition in an increasingly deregulated market. The next step in the deregulation is slated for April of next year.
All is not doom and gloom, though. Kyushu is said to be considering converting the soon-to-be vacant sites for property development and/or as nursing care facilities. The shutdown will save the company around US$4.7 million to US$5.6 million in annual maintenance costs and the 100 or so workers at the three plants will be given new roles, according to the company.
