On February 12, a ceremony was held to celebrate the completion of the Afsin-Elbistan B Power Plant (360MW x 4 units, located in south-central Turkey) in the presence of the Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Energy Minister, Hilmi Guler, and the Ambassador of Japan to Turkey. MHI had entered into the contract to build the plant for the Turkish Electricity Generation Company (EUAS) in August 1998.

In Prime Minister Erdogan's address, he emphasized the fact that rich deposits of lignite coal have been confirmed in Turkey, including in the Elbistan region, and that by using this lignite coal as the fuel, the plant is in accord with Turkey's energy policies. Mindful of the flue gas desulfurization plant that MHI delivered, Prime Minister Erdogan also emphasized the fact that the plant is attentive to the protection of the environment. Furthermore, he also read aloud and expressed his appreciation to the companies involved in the plant, including the consortium leader, MHI.

Transfer of the first unit at the plant was completed on March 3. Transfer of the final unit is expected to be completed in September this year.

MHI's Nagasaki Shipyard & Machinery Works was in charge of supplying the turbine and peripheral equipment for the plant, and for coordinating the consortium, and MHI's Plant and Transportation System Engineering & Construction Center was in charge of supplying the flue gas desulfurization plant. In addition, the German company, Babcock (currently Babcock-Hitachi Europe GmbH) was responsible for supplying the boiler, and two local Turkish businesses, ENKA and GTT, were responsible for the local civil engineering, construction and installation work.