TEPCO's 500MW gas-fired unit starts operations in 2012

Tokyo Electric Power will commence operations of a new 500MW combined-cycle, gas-fired unit at its Kawasaki plant in Japan by next year.

According to a report by Reuters, operations will be jumpstarted ahead of schedule to meet the nation's peak power demand during the summer months.

The company also plans to build another two 710MW combined-cycle, gas-fired units for the Kawasaki plant next year.

TEPCO aims to add power supply after two of its three nuclear power stations were shut down following the 11 March earthquake and tsunami.