World’s largest power ship to arrive next month

World’s largest power ship to contribute 232 megawatts of electricity to Karachi in November.

ISLAMABAD: The world’s largest power ship will reach Karachi in November which will contribute 232 megawatts of electricity, somewhat helping address the woes of domestic and industrial consumers of the city.

The ship owned by Turkish company Karkey is the largest in size and installed capacity and will provide electricity to Lakhra Power Generation Company Limited, a subsidiary of Pakistan Electric Power Company, through the Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC).

The Turkish company has guaranteed 93 per cent efficiency to provide 231.8 MW based on diesel-run sets for 60 months.

Karkey has also completed erection of 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.

Company officials say there are still some pending issues relating to different organisations in Pakistan which should be addressed expeditiously, adding the Rental Services Contract says technical and infrastructure facilities up to the delivery point should be provided by the buyer.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 28^th, 2010.