Ukraine considering quick-connect floating power ships

Jan. 26, 2023
Karpowership has signed a memorandum of understanding with JSC Energy Co. of Ukraine that could involve fast-track deployments of floating offshore power stations to address the country’s energy crisis.

Offshore staff

ISTANBUL, Turkey  Karpowership has signed a memorandum of understanding with JSC Energy Co. of Ukraine (ECU) that could involve fast-track deployments of floating offshore power stations to address the country’s energy crisis.

Under the arrangement, Karpowership will work with Ukrainian and international organizations to develop and finance the implementation of 500 MW, sufficient for more than 1 million households.

Among the options being considered are floating power stations, known as Powerships, moored offshore Black Sea neighbors Moldova and Romania, with electricity connecting to Ukraine's grid via transmission lines.

Karpowership and ECU will hold dialogue with these countries' authorities on assessing the viability.

The two companies will seek to secure the necessary permissions and approvals to collaborate with third parties, including international organization.

ECU CEO Vitaly Butenko said, ''Ukraine's energy system has suffered 12 massive Russian attacks, resulting in damage to its power generation infrastructure and electricity shortages. While the war continues, building new power units to recover lost or damaged generation capacity is not a feasible option, and we need to look for innovative solutions to the current crisis.

''Karpowership technology allows for rapid deployment of new power generation capacity, which will be transferred to the Ukrainian grid. We believe this can create a regional paradigm shift for solving Ukraine's energy crisis while the nation's infrastructure is being subjected to Russian attacks.''

Karpowership currently operates across Africa, New Caledonia and in Brazil and has held talks with various European countries to supply up to 2 GW of electricity via Powerships from the company’s 36-strong fleet.

The vessels are said to connect directly to a national electricity grid within less than 30 days via existing infrastructure that can run on LNG, low-sulfur fuel oil or biodiesel. They can be unplugged and re-deployed wherever they are most needed.

FSRU to supply LNG to Powership

Last week Karpowership and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd. reached a deal with Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and MUFG Bank Ltd. to finance a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) in Senegal.

JBIC and MUFG Bank signed the loan agreement on Dec. 30, 2022, with KARMOL, through Senegal LNGT Co. Ltd., for an amount up to $71 million. The FSRU will supply regasified LNG to a Karpowership floating power plant (Powership) in Senegal.

MOL and Karpowership will continue to provide power generation solutions around the world through their LNG-to-Powership business, known as KARMOL. 

KARMOL said this loan will promote business development in developing nations, including in Africa. 

01.26.2023

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