Yokosuka Thermal Power Station
 | This article needs to be updated. (March 2015) |
| Yokosuka Thermal Power Station | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| Country | Japan |
| Location | Yokosuka, Kanagawa |
| Coordinates | 35°12′56″N 139°42′59″E / 35.21556°N 139.71639°E |
| Status | Operational |
| Commission date | 1960 |
| Decommission date | 2010 (restored 2011) |
| Owner(s) | Tepco |
| Operator(s) | |
| Thermal power station | |
| Primary fuel | Fuel oil |
| Power generation | |
| Nameplate capacity | 874 MW |
| External links | |
| Commons | Related media on Commons |
Yokosuka Thermal Power Station (横須賀火力発電所, Yokosuka Karyoku Hatsudensho) is a large thermal power station operated by Tokyo Electric in Yokosuka, Kanagawa, Japan. The facility is located in Kurihama, at the southern tip of Miura Peninsula.[1][2]
All the older generation units were decommissioned by 2014.
In 2019, construction started on two coal-powered units, to enter service in 2023 and 2024, and generate 1.3 gigawatts total.[3]
History[edit]
Plans to build a power station in Yokosuka were drawn up in 1957, and a site was prepared next to Kurihama Port by filling in part of the bay. The 1st unit with a 265 MW General Electric turbine, went on line in October 1960. A total of 8 units were constructed by 1970, giving the plant a total power generating capacity of 2630 MW, which served to power the cities of Kanagawa Prefecture and Tokyo Metropolis.
An additional gas turbine Unit 1 burning light oil was opened on an experimental basis in July 1971, followed by Gas Turbine Unit 2 (burning natural gas) in July 1993. However, plans were made to close the facility by the mid-2000s due to rising fuel and maintenance costs. Unit 1 was closed in December 2004, followed by Unit 2 and Units 5-8 in March 2006. All remaining units were closed by April 2010.
In order to meet the expected shortage of electrical energy from the aftermath of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami and Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, Tokyo Electric began reactivating mothballed portions of the plant, bringing Gas Turbine Unit 2 back on line on April 28, 2011, Gas Turbine Unit 1 on June 2, 2011. Unit 3 was restored on June 19 and Unit 4 on July 6. Total generating capacity is now at 874 MW.
Tokyo Electric is planning to replace all existing equipment at the Yokosuka Thermal Power Plant with 13 new gas turbine units with a total rated capacity of 3296 MW within 2011.[4]
Generating Units[edit]
| Unit Name | Rated Capacity | Generator | Fuel | Operational Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit 1 (scrapped) | 265 MW | General Electric | October 1960 – December 2004 | |
| Unit 2 (scrapped) | 265 MW | Toshiba | September 1962 – March 2006 | |
| Unit 3 (operational) | 350 MW | General Electric | Heavy crude oil, Crude oil | May 1964 – April 2010; Resumed 19 June 2011 |
| Unit 4 (operational) | 350 MW | Toshiba | Heavy crude oil, Crude oil | July 1964 – March 2006; Resumed from July 6, 2011 |
| Unit 5 (mothballed) | 350 MW | Toshiba | Heavy crude oil, Crude oil | July 1966 – April 2010 |
| Unit 6 (mothballed) | 350 MW | Toshiba | Heavy crude oil, Crude oil | January 1967 – April 2010 |
| Unit 7 (mothballed) | 350 MW | Toshiba | Heavy crude oil, Crude oil | September 1969 – April 2010 |
| Unit 8 (mothballed) | 350 MW | Toshiba | Heavy crude oil, Crude oil | January 1970 – April 2010 |
| Gas Turbine 1 (operational) | 30 MW | Toshiba | Diesel fuel | July 1971 – April 2010; Resumed from June 2, 2011 |
| Gas Turbine Unit 2 (operational) | 144 MW | Toshiba | Light oil, Natural gas | July 1993 – April 2010; resumed from April 28, 2011 |
