The Turkish energy giant Karpowership, renowned for its fleet of floating power plants, has become a linchpin in Gabon’s energy landscape. According to Evans Damada, the company’s local director, the two powerships moored off the coasts of Libreville and Port-Gentil are now injecting 150 megawatts into the national grid—accounting for nearly a quarter of the country’s total available power capacity. This substantial contribution underscores both the fragility of Gabon’s power infrastructure and the pressing need for rapid, scalable solutions.
From crisis response to grid stabilisation
The swift ramp-up of Karpowership’s operations in Gabon reflects a broader shift in how African nations address energy shortfalls. The operator’s flexible model allows powerships to be towed between countries and connected to national grids within weeks, a stark contrast to the multi-year timelines required for traditional land-based power stations. Gabon’s decision to rely on this model came in response to recurring power cuts that disrupted both residential areas and industrial zones, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
Gabon is not alone in turning to Karpowership for emergency power. The Istanbul-based company has established a strong foothold across Africa, serving nations such as Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone, Gambia, and Mozambique. Its business model hinges on long-term power purchase agreements, typically denominated in US dollars, with tariffs tied to actual kilowatt-hours generated. While this approach provides immediate relief, it has sparked financial debates in several capitals due to the volatility of hydrocarbon prices and the strain on national budgets.
Balancing short-term gains with long-term energy goals
For Gabonese authorities, the 150 MW boost represents a critical lifeline. The Société d’énergie et d’eau du Gabon (SEEG) has long struggled to meet surging demand, driven by rapid urbanisation, the expansion of economic free zones, and a resurgence of mining projects. With electricity production relying on a mix of hydropower, natural gas, and heavy fuel oil, the country’s aging infrastructure has left little room for maneuver. The arrival of Karpowership’s powerships has provided temporary relief, but it also introduces new strategic dependencies.
Holding 25% of Gabon’s power capacity gives Karpowership significant negotiating leverage, particularly as the transitional government—established after the August 2023 political shift—prioritises infrastructure revival and energy sovereignty. Officials must now navigate the delicate balance between addressing immediate power shortages and laying the groundwork for sustainable, domestically driven energy solutions. Plans to harness national gas resources and develop new onshore and offshore projects are central to this vision, but their realisation will take time.
Transitioning toward self-sufficiency in power generation
Evans Damada frames Karpowership’s role as a transitional measure designed to bridge the gap between current demand and the gradual rollout of permanent local power infrastructure. Gabon has several major projects on the horizon, including the Kinguélé Aval hydroelectric dam—developed in partnership with Meridiam and Gabon Power Company—and offshore gas-powered plants. Once operational, these facilities are expected to gradually reduce the reliance on floating power stations.
In the interim, Karpowership’s powerships remain the backbone of Gabon’s electricity supply, feeding power to both Libreville and the industrial corridor in the Estuaire region. Maintenance is handled by joint Turkish-Gabonese teams, with a modest but growing focus on local skills development. However, the scale of technology transfer falls short of what authorities had hoped for in terms of long-term capacity building.
The immediate question for Gabon is no longer whether it can do without Karpowership, but how it will renegotiate the terms of its energy partnership. Upcoming discussions on pricing, contract durations, and the integration of domestic gas resources will shape the country’s energy future. Industry observers anticipate that the Turkish operator intends to remain a long-term player in Gabon’s electricity sector.
