Link to article: https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/safrica-grants-turkeys-karpowership-licences-floating-power-generation-2021-09-21/
As South Africa’s main energy supplier, Eskom, continues to struggle with mismanagement, misspent funds and ageing infrastructure, the country has granted Karpowership – a turkish based karadeniz group, owner of the first floating power plant (powership) – three gas-to-electricity generation licences through the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA). Karpowerships Powerships are solutions that can operate on Heavy Fuel Oil and Natural Gas. With the energy crisis in South Africa causing billions of dollars in lost revenue due to regular electricity blackouts, there has been an emphasize on no delays and urgency to bring power back online. But Karpowership has faced many challenges since the South African government declared it would grant 2,000 megawatt energy power for a cheap and quick option for electricity, leading the company to not meet several previously made deadlines.
Besides the power generation licences, the firm needs to clear several regulatory hurdles, including environmental approval and the litigation challenging the nice outcome that runs for 20 years needs to be resolved. Confirmation from NERSA on generation licences have granted supply of 1,200 megawatts of capacity to three ports: Coega, Richards Bay, and Saldanha Bay. The plans to generate power however has caused opposition by environmental activists and local fishing communities. In June, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment had refused environmental approvals for the three gas-to-power projects for reasons including that it did not comply with public participation rules. Since
Because of large investment, Karpowership South Africa will create a high number of long-term direct employment and skills development opportunities, rather than just temporary construction positions.