Hyundai Heavy Industries introduced an electricity generation system using solar energy in an effort to curtail expenses and promote green growth.

Last month, HHI installed a solar power facility at the front gate of its Ulsan head office, officials said Thursday.

This became the company’s fourth solar energy unit, following those built last year on the rooftops of the Gunsan wind power plant, Eumseong solar plant and Ulsan main plant.

The four units, consisting of modules and inverters manufactured by HHI, are together capable of producing 2,065 kilowatts of electricity, officials said.

“We aim at promoting the use of new renewable energy and reducing the emission of greenhouse gas within our business sector,” said an HHI official.

“The solar energy will not only boost the company’s heavy manufacturing business but also alleviate the nation’s electric power shortage.”

Most of the generated electricity will be sold to the Korea Electric Power Corp., which is expected to bring a yearly profit of 850 million won ($780,604) to the company, officials said.

After first taking up the solar energy business in 1997, HHI has been expanding its share in the eco-friendly energy market.

The company also established a greenhouse gas inventory system in 2010 to regulate total gas emissions.

“We will gradually increase the proportion of new renewable energy in the upcoming years,” the official said.

Government organizations are currently obligated to allocate a certain proportion of their budget for the construction and operation of eco-friendly energy systems.

“As a private company, HHI is not bound by the quota but nevertheless felt the need to participate in the government’s efforts for green growth.”

By Bae Hyun-jung (tellme@heraldcorp.com)