A method for generating electrical power comprising operating variable frequency generators using a common prime mover and controlling the variable frequency generators using a mechanical phase difference as follows: M ⁢ ⁢ P ⁢ ⁢ D = 360 G ⁢ ⁢ Φ ⁢ ⁢ p wherein MPD is the mechanical phase difference in degrees between rotors between a pair of variable frequency generators, G is a number of variable frequency generators, Φ is a number of electrical phases in a variable frequency generator in the variable frequency generators, and p is a number of pole pairs in the variable frequency generator in the variable frequency generators, wherein the variable frequency generators are controlled such that each variable frequency generator in the variable frequency generators has a selected mechanical phase difference from another variable frequency generator in the variable frequency generators that is an integer multiple of the mechanical phase difference that is less than 360 degrees.