Turkish powerships supply 150 MW to Gabon’s grid, covering 25% of demand

The Turkish energy giant Karpowership, known for its floating power plants, has become a key player in Gabon’s energy landscape. Evans Damada, the company’s country director, confirms that the powerships anchored off Libreville and Port-Gentil now deliver 150 megawatts to the national grid, accounting for nearly 25% of the country’s total electricity generation capacity. This substantial contribution highlights both Gabon’s ongoing power supply challenges and the growing reliance on fast-deployable energy solutions.

Rapid integration into Gabon’s power system

Karpowership’s impact on Gabon’s electricity mix has been swift. The company scaled up operations in response to persistent blackouts affecting residential and industrial zones alike. The mobility of these powerships—designed to be towed between countries and connected to grids within weeks—sets them apart from traditional land-based plants, which can take years to construct and commission.

The Gabon market joins a growing list of African nations benefiting from Karpowership’s services, including the Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone, Gambia, and Mozambique. The group’s business model relies on long-term power purchase agreements, typically priced in dollars per kilowatt-hour. While this arrangement provides immediate relief, it has sparked financial debates in several capitals due to its sensitivity to fluctuating hydrocarbon prices.

Energy security vs. strategic dependence

For Gabonese authorities, the 150 MW infusion offers a critical lifeline. The Société d’énergie et d’eau du Gabon (SEEG) has long struggled to meet surging demand driven by rapid urbanization, industrial zones, and resurgent mining projects. The country’s electricity mix—composed of hydroelectricity, natural gas, and fuel oil—faces increasing strain as aging infrastructure limits reliability.

Yet, the reliance on a single foreign supplier raises concerns. With 25% of the grid’s capacity under its control, Karpowership holds significant bargaining power at a time when Gabon is prioritizing domestic gas monetization and energy sovereignty. The transitional government, which has made infrastructure revitalization a cornerstone of its agenda since August 2023, now faces the delicate balance between addressing immediate needs and securing long-term energy independence.

Bridging Gabon’s energy gap with transitional solutions

Damada frames Karpowership’s role as a temporary measure to bridge the gap until new domestic capacity comes online. Gabon is advancing several landmark projects, including the Kinguélé Aval hydroelectric dam, a joint venture between Meridiam and Gabon Power Company, as well as offshore gas-fired plants. Once operational, these facilities are expected to gradually reduce the powerships’ share in the energy mix.

In the meantime, the Turkish-operated ships remain a cornerstone of the grid, supplying steady power to Libreville and the industrial corridor of the Estuaire province. Maintenance is handled by a mix of Turkish and Gabonese teams, complemented by localized training programs. However, the scale of knowledge transfer falls short of the government’s expectations for deeper technical integration.

For now, Gabon’s immediate priority is not whether it can phase out Karpowership, but how to renegotiate terms that better align with its long-term energy goals. Key challenges ahead include tariff discussions, contract durations, and integrating domestic gas resources into the national electricity framework. Industry insiders report that the Turkish operator intends to remain a long-term partner in Gabon’s energy sector.