The Gabonese government is reassessing its controversial contract with Karpowership, a subsidiary of Turkey’s Karadeniz Holding specializing in floating power plants. Officials in Libreville currently pay 1.8 billion Central African francs monthly for a theoretical capacity of 150 megawatts, though actual power delivered to the grid hovers between 80 and 90 megawatts. The widening gap raises concerns as the transitional authorities prioritize fiscal transparency and cost efficiency in public spending.

From emergency measure to entrenched dependency

The powership agreement was originally designed as a stopgap solution to address Gabon’s chronic energy shortages. Aging thermal plants and unreliable hydroelectric output during dry seasons had left the national grid vulnerable to blackouts. The government turned to floating power stations, such as the one anchored off Owendo, which can inject dozens of megawatts into the system within weeks. While proven in nations like Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Senegal, this approach comes at a premium compared to conventional land-based power plants.

What began as a temporary fix has since become a structural dependency. Despite progress in domestic energy projects—including the Kinguélé Aval dam developed with Meridiam and future gas-fired plants—the SEEG (Gabon’s energy and water utility) remains reliant on external power, particularly during peak demand. Over the past year, payments to Karpowership have exceeded 21 billion Central African francs, a significant burden for a country under fiscal scrutiny.

Mounting economic and technical criticisms

The core issue lies in the mismatch between billed capacity and actual output. Paying for 150 megawatts while receiving less than two-thirds inflates the real cost per unit of electricity. Critics within government and technical circles argue that the contract’s terms disproportionately favor the Turkish operator, shielding it from demand fluctuations and technical disruptions. Since assuming power in August 2023, the transitional administration has launched audits of major public contracts inherited from the previous regime.

Karpowership operates across Africa, with a footprint spanning fifteen countries and dozens of floating plants. Its strength lies in rapid deployment—units ranging from 30 to 470 megawatts can be operational within months. The drawback, however, is the lock-in effect: disconnecting a powership without alternative sources risks plunging the grid back into instability.

Pathways to renegotiation or phased exit

The dilemma facing Gabon’s energy policymakers extends beyond finances—it’s a question of operational resilience. Terminating the contract without parallel capacity additions could trigger supply shocks. Key projects like Kinguélé Aval and upcoming gas plants are years away from full operation, leaving a narrow window for maneuver.

Three potential strategies are under consideration. The first involves renegotiating financial terms to tie payments strictly to delivered power. A second option favors a gradual phase-out synchronized with new infrastructure rollouts. The third, more drastic, would entail an abrupt termination with potential recourse to alternative suppliers, though this could invite international disputes. The decision will shape Gabon’s energy trajectory and test the credibility of its industrial sovereignty agenda.