Power-producing ship arriving on 18th

The world’s largest power-generating ship expected to reach Karachi from Turkey, will supply about 230MW.

KARACHI: On Nov 18, the world’s largest power-generating ship will reach Karachi from Turkey and supply it about 230MW.

This ship will drop anchor in the open sea between the Korangi Thermal Power Station and Jamot jetty. Work has been completed on laying high tension lines and an underground cable between the thermal plant and the Qayyumabad grid for the new supply. These days the network is being tested.

The ship is coming as part of an agreement signed a year ago between Pakistan and a private Turkish company. The Pakistan Electric Power Company (Pepco), Siemens and the Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) have been preparing for its arrival. The inauguration of the supply is expected Nov 21.

The Express Tribune earlier reported that the ship is owned by Turkish company Karkey and will provide electricity to the Lakhra Power Generation Company Limited, a Pepco subsidiary, through KESC. The Turkish company has guaranteed 93 per cent efficiency to provide the 231.8 MW based on diesel-run sets for 60 months.

Karkey has also erected a tower that will connect the power ship to the Karachi grid. It has also produced and delivered related interconnection protection panels to Lakhra Power after completing dredging and interconnection facilities.

Karkey has also conducted several marine studies with the help of accredited Turkish and international experts and has received environmental impact assessment (EIA) no-objection certificate from the Environmental Protection Agency in April this year.

The ship has the necessary fuel storage facilities on board or on storage vessels berthed near it.

The company entered a rental services contract in December 2008 after winning the international bid and has completed necessary groundwork for operation of the ship.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 15^th, 2010.