On May 9 Shenzhen Meishi Power launched commercial operations of its liquefied natural gas (LNG) power unit on May 5. The unit boasts an installed capacity of 250 thousand kilowatts and is the first power unit to use LNG as its primary energy source in China.

Its operation not only has significance in reducing the burden on Shenzhen's electricity supply system, but also plays an important role in the promotion and application of LNG technology in the domestic market.

The power unit is still in the experimental phase, with gas consumption at about 200 tons a day, said a spokesman of Meishi Power. The company will not develop to its full capacity until late this month. By then, the units will be able to work 16 hours a day with a maximum power output of 205 thousand kilowatts. Daily gas consumption would reach about 600 thousand cubic meters, while daily power generation would top 3.5 million kilowatt-hours.

Because LNG consists mainly of methane (CH4), it produces no sulfides or other particulate matter after combustion, just carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O). This will greatly help reduce smog and improve the city's air quality. In other words, the new LNG installment has significant environmental benefits.