The agreement linking Gabon with Karpowership, a subsidiary of the Turkish conglomerate Karadeniz Holding specializing in floating power plants, has become the focal point of a significant budgetary and industrial dispute. Figures circulating within specialized press indicate that Libreville disburses 1.8 billion CFA francs monthly for a theoretical capacity of 150 megawatts. However, the actual power delivered to the national grid reportedly hovers between 80 and 90 megawatts. This considerable disparity raises questions, especially as Gabon’s transitional authorities strive to rationalize public expenditures, which have long faced criticism for their lack of transparency.
An emergency contract becomes long-term
Initially, the contract signed with the Turkish operator was intended as a short-term measure. Facing a persistent power generation deficit, exacerbated by aging thermal infrastructure and the seasonal unreliability of hydroelectricity, Gabon’s former executive opted for the swift solution offered by powerships. These vessel-based power stations, moored off Owendo, are capable of injecting tens of megawatts into the national network within weeks. This method, proven effective in nations like Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Senegal, provides an immediate response to energy crises, albeit typically at a higher cost per kilowatt-hour compared to conventional land-based power plants.
What was conceived as a temporary solution has, however, become a long-standing arrangement. The expansion of local generation projects, particularly those involving dams and gas-fired power plants, has not yet reached a scale sufficient to render the Turkish contract unnecessary. Consequently, the Société d’énergie et d’eau du Gabon (SEEG) continues its reliance on an external supplier to balance its electricity grid, especially during peak demand periods. Over a twelve-month span, the cumulative cost exceeds 21 billion CFA francs – a substantial sum for a nation whose budgetary trajectory remains under close scrutiny.
The economic equation faces increasing scrutiny
The primary point of contention revolves around the discrepancy between the billed capacity and the actual power delivered. Paying a fixed rate based on 150 megawatts while only receiving a fraction of that amount inherently inflates the real cost of each supplied megawatt. Several voices, both within government administration and technical circles, argue that the current contractual framework excessively shields the Turkish operator from fluctuations in demand and potential technical issues. Gabon’s transitional authorities, who assumed power in August 2023, have since initiated a comprehensive audit of major public contracts inherited from the previous administration.
Karpowership is not an isolated player on the African continent. The group operates dozens of floating power stations across more than fifteen countries, maintaining a particularly strong presence in sub-Saharan Africa. Its key strength lies in its ability to rapidly deploy units ranging from 30 to 470 megawatts. Conversely, from the perspective of client states, its principal drawback is the dependency it creates: once a powership is connected, disengaging from the service necessitates reliable alternatives, lest the country risk a return to widespread power outages.
Towards renegotiation or an orderly exit
Therefore, the challenge extends beyond mere financial considerations; it is fundamentally operational. Terminating the contract without simultaneously commissioning equivalent alternative capacities would expose SEEG to a significant supply shock. Crucially, anticipated major projects, such as the Kinguélé Aval dam being developed with Meridiam or future gas-fired plants utilizing national production, are not expected to be fully operational for another two to three years. This leaves a narrow margin for immediate maneuver.
Multiple scenarios are currently under consideration. One option involves renegotiating the financial terms, aiming to more strictly link billing to the actual power injected into the grid. A second approach favors a gradual disengagement, carefully coordinated with the phased activation of new infrastructure. A more radical third scenario would entail outright termination, potentially involving other suppliers, though this path risks international legal disputes. The chosen course of action will significantly impact the credibility of Gabon’s energy policy and, more broadly, the doctrine of industrial sovereignty championed by the transitional authorities.
These critical decisions are expected to be finalized in the coming weeks, as the nation’s energy roadmap becomes clearer.