YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- The 374th Civil Engineer Squadron (CES) received a packaged electrical control module (PECM) and a heat recovery steam generator for Yokota’s new power plant April 13.

The PECM essentially works as the brain of the power plant. The computers connected to it to run the plant remotely, while the steam generator produces steam for heating from the power plant’s exhaust.

“This is part of the power plant operation that generates about 12 megawatts of electricity for Yokota,” said Jackens Eugene, 374th CES energy manager. “We also use the hot gases coming from the exhaust to produce steam to provide heat for the base.”

Since 2019, the 374th CES has been upgrading Yokota’s power grid infrastructure. This project aims to increase energy efficiency up to 30 percent while providing generation capacity to increase resiliency.

“I’m happy that we received the equipment because this is a vital piece for this project,” Eugene said.

Construction at Yokota is projected to be completed in early 2023, and is predicted to annually save approximately 75,000 kilowatt hours of electricity and 30 million gallons of water. In all, the base will gain an additional 10 megawatts of power for critical readiness capabilities, environmentally friendly facilities and reduce energy costs.