Ukraine could get new electricity supply from floating mini power stations

Ukraine could get a new electricity supply from floating mini power stations, under plans being drawn up by a Turkish energy company.

Karpowership is considering deploying its ‘Powerships’ off the coast of Moldova and Romania, hooked up to electricity cables feeding into Ukraine.

Ukraine’s energy infrastructure has been crippled by Russian attacks, with about 40pc of the electricity system said to have been damaged.

This month, the national grid operator, Ukrenergo, introduced emergency power cuts in eastern and southeastern regions.

The ‘Powerships’ generate power on board using methane gas or fuel oil, with a capacity of more than 400 megawatts.

Karpowership has signed a memorandum of understanding with state-owned Energy Company of Ukraine (ECU) to help develop energy supplies.

Vitaly Butenko, ECU chief executive, said: “Ukraine's energy system has suffered 12 massive Russian attacks, resulting in damage to its power generation infrastructure and electricity shortages.

“While the war continues, building new power units to recover lost or damaged generation capacity is not a feasible option and we need to look for innovative solutions to the current crisis.

''Karpowership technology allows for rapid deployment of new power generation capacity which will be transferred to the Ukrainian grid."

Karpowership will now work with authorities in Moldova, Romania and Ukraine to explore options including the ships.

The company is part of the Karadeniz Holding conglomerate based in Istanbul.

It has so far developed 36 ‘Powerships’ supplying countries including Cuba, Gambia, Iraq and Indonesia.

Zeynep Harezi, Karpowership's chief commercial officer, said: “Karpowership is delighted to work with ECU to ease Ukraine's power crisis.

“Powerships are a fast, reliable, and flexible solution to the nation's electricity shortages, and we are ready to support Ukraine in getting the energy it needs as soon as possible.”

Mr Butenko added: “We believe this can create a regional paradigm shift for solving Ukraine's energy crisis while the nation's infrastructure is being subjected to Russian attacks.”