Deputy Energy Minister commissions world’s biggest powership

Karpowership Ghana Company Limited has commissioned the world’s biggest Powership Karadeniz Osman Khan at the Tema Fishing Harbour.

The powership, with a generation capacity of 470 megawatts (mw), arrived in August this year and was connected to the national grid, after it completed all requisite commissioning works and operational tests.

The operation of Karadeniz Powership Osman Khan was in line with the Power Purchase Agreement signed with the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), requiring Karpowership to supply a total of 450 MW into the national grid for 10 years.

The Inauguration of the biggest power ship this month, marks exactly two years since Karpowership began operations in Ghana.

Speaking at the inauguration, Deputy Minister of Energy, Mr Joseph Cudjoe, said the new Karpowership was in line with government’s plan to ensure energy efficiency for the country's industrial take off.

He said government would add additional installed capacity of 340 megawatts in continuance of its plan to ensure stable and affordable supply of power for domestic and industrial use.

He reiterated government’s determination to put an end to erratic electricity supply to domestic and commercial consumers.

Mr Cudjoe said the annual electricity demand in the country increases by 10 percent, and coupled with government’s flagship of ‘one district, one factory’ programme, serious attention must be paid to constant power supply.

The Deputy Minister was optimistic that the new addition would complement government’s agenda of producing at the lowest cost to Ghana for thermal power generation as the new powership runs on dual fuel engines and combined cycle power generation technology.

He expressed the hope that Karpowership’s power supply would help reduce electricity cost in the country when the ship switch to the use of gas next year.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Karpowership, Orhan Remzi Karadeniz, said Karpowership was committed to Ghana’s development and as a strategic partner would continue to provide all Ghanaians with sustainable, reliable and affordable electricity.

According to him, Karpowership has a proven track record of supplying sustainable, reliable and affordable electricity with its first Powership – Karadeniz Powership Aysegul Sultan – adding that, “The 470 MW Karadeniz Powership Osman Khan will also supply uninterrupted and reliable electricity at one of the lowest prices for thermal power generation.

He said the operations of Karadeniz Powership Osman Khan would have a significant contribution to Ghana’s electricity supply and create employment opportunities.

In his welcome address, Volaan Buyukbicer, Country Manager for Karpowership Ghana, expressed his deepest gratitude to all stakeholders and staff of Karpowership for their dedication, hard work and support, which had contributed to their successful operations in Ghana.

He said Karpowership had fulfilled its terms of contract with the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to supply it constant electricity.